|
|
|
Events >> 20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy
|
|
Welcoming Remarks at Twentieth Anniversary Celebration Vin Weber, Chairman, National Endowment for Democracy November 6, 2003 My name is Vin Weber. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy which I chair, I would like to welcome you here today. Let me begin by thanking our sponsors, whose generous contributions have made this event possible: the Hurford Foundation, Fannie Mae, Sallie Mae, AT&T, and the American International Group. It was twenty years ago this month that the National Endowment for Democracy was incorporated and Congress passed the NED Act authorizing funding for this new nongovernmental institution. Subsequent congressional support has enabled the Endowment to carry out its mission of advancing democracy abroad, which it now does in some 80 countries around the world. The idea of an American non-governmental institution promoting democracy around the world is not such a recent one. The American Labor Movement, for example, led the struggle for worker rights not just in this country but also overseas long before the creation of NED. But it took a determined congressman from south Florida named Dante Fascell to translate into reality the concept of creating an institution whose sole mission would be to provide material, technical and moral assistance to those struggling for democratic self-government. In that he had the support of four key American institutions: the two major political parties, the AFL-CIO, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And he had the vision of those who were in the forefront of those institutions: individuals like the late Lane Kirkland, as well as Bill Brock, Chuck Manatt, Frank Fahrenkopf, and Mike Samuels. We are fortunate to have those latter four gentlemen as well as Mrs. Kirkland with us today. From these institutions emerged NED’s core Institutes, Institutes that have played an essential role in the success of the National Endowment for Democracy, and I want to pay tribute to them now: the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, chaired by Madeleine Albright; the International Republican Institute, chaired by Senator John McCain; the American Center for International Labor Solidarity, affiliated with the AFL-CIO whose President John Sweeney is with us this morning; and the Center for International Private Enterprise, chaired by John Bon, also here today, which is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in whose beautiful building we have assembled for this celebration. It was President Ronald Reagan’s support that proved decisive in moving the Fascell idea forward, and we believe quite strongly that from the very beginning, bipartisanship has been one of the essential ingredients in our success. Surely, democracy is not the franchise of one political party but rather an idea that unites all Americans. In his now famous foreign policy address at London’s Westminster Palace in 1982, President Reagan said the following: “The objective I propose is quite simple to state: to foster the infrastructure of democracy—the system of a free press, unions, political parties, universities—which allows a people to choose their own way, to develop their own culture, to reconcile their own differences through peaceful means.” The President then gave his endorsement to the efforts underway to determine the best way for the U.S. as a nation to contribute to what he called “the global campaign for democracy.” Over the past twenty years, the National Endowment for Democracy and its four Institutes have played a major role in that campaign by supporting small d democrats in every region of the globe, from new and fragile democracies to the world’s remaining dictatorships and everything in between. While doing so, the Endowment has grown as an institution and now encompasses the Journal of Democracy, the International Forum for Democratic Studies, the World Movement for Democracy which it staffs, and the Reagan-Fascell Fellows Program, named for the two individuals without whose vision we would not be here today. NED also has been fortunate to have the guidance of so many distinguished individuals committed to its mission from the worlds of politics, international affairs, the trade unions, the business community, and higher education who have volunteered their time and expertise as members of our Board of Directors. We are honored to have many of them with us today, as well as the Boards and staff of NED’s affiliated institutes. Finally, let me say a word about Carl Gershman, whose boundless energy and tireless commitment to the cause of democracy have played such a major role in making the Endowment’s steadfast pursuit of its mission so successful. It has been a pleasure for me, as Chairman, to work with Carl and let me take this opportunity to salute him and his talented staff for their selfless and effective work. In all of our efforts one institution has been critical to the Endowment from the very beginning. I am speaking, of course, of the United States Congress in which I had the privilege to be serving when the NED was created. Congress has provided on an annual basis the funding that has made it possible to support democracy’s front-line activists. We are proud that our bipartisan support on the Hill has grown so steadily over the years. It is now my privilege to introduce to you to offer remarks some key friends from the Hill whose backing has been so important to us. Introduction of Senator Evan Bayh When he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998, our first speaker brought with him a record of remarkable effectiveness as a two-term Governor of Indiana. He has established himself as a Senator who works well with members from both parties and whose views on foreign policy are highly respected. It is my pleasure to introduce to you a member of the NED’s Board of Directors, Senator Evan Bayh. 
Introduction of Senator Sam Brownback
Our next speaker has successfully spanned the worlds of agriculture, law, commerce, and international relations. On the latter, he has taken a leading role with respect to issues dealing with South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. He has spoken out with great eloquence and effectiveness on the question of human rights in North Korea, an issue that has been of great interest to us at NED. Ladies and Gentlemen, Senator Sam Brownback 
Introduction of Rep. Christopher Cox
Our next speaker has represented the great state of California since 1988, prior to which he practiced international law, served in the White House legal office, and published an independent English translation of the Soviet daily PRAVDA. He serves as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security. I am pleased to introduce another member of the NED Board of Directors, Congressman Christopher Cox. Introduction of Rep. Tom Lantos We wanted California to have adequate representation, so we invited another outstanding voice from that state to be our final congressional speaker. His name has become synonymous in the Congress with human rights, which he speaks out on passionately and frequently. Along with another great champion of human rights, Frank Wolf, he heads the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which he founded in 1983. He has been an outspoken advocate for NED since our inception. Ladies and Gentlemen, Congressman Tom Lantos. Introduction of President George Bush Mr. President, It is quite a thrill for me to be introducing to this distinguished audience the Leader of the Free World. It occurs to me that since the U.S. is the world’s leading democracy, that makes you, Mr. President, the world’s leading democrat! Twenty years ago a U.S. President helped launch the National Endowment for Democracy with the following words: “For the sake of peace and justice, let us move toward a world in which all people are at last free to determine their own destiny.” Since that time, every Administration, both Republican and Democratic, has carried forth President Reagan’s commitment to this lofty goal by supporting the Endowment’s work of advancing democracy around the world. Your administration has been no different. Indeed, as you have so eloquently stated: “We will extend the peace by encouraging free and open societies on every continent.When it comes to the common rights and needs of men and women, there is no clash of civilizations.” We are as honored by your presence here today as we are eager to hear your remarks. Ladies and Gentlemen, President George W. Bush. |
|
|
| |
