Council Welcomes Senator Chuck Hagel, Our New Chairman
The Editors | February 11, 2009
We are delighted to welcome Senator Chuck Hagel as the new chairman of the Atlantic Council.
Hagel, who served two terms representing Nebraska from 1997 to 2009, received the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished International Leadership Award in 2004. His breadth of experience, knowledge of foreign policy, and commitment to transatlantic relations provide the basis for strong and productive leadership of the Council. Moreover, he is deeply respected on both sides of the political aisle and on both ends of the Atlantic.
Hagel succeeds General James L. Jones, who stepped down to serve as National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama. Jones presided over a two-year period of extraordinary growth for the Atlantic Council: staff and operating revenue doubled in size, a New York office was established, and three new programs focusing on global business, Black Sea energy security, and South Asia were added in January alone. Jones praised the selection, stating, “Senator Hagel is an excellent choice to guide the Council through its continued expansion. His breadth of experience, knowledge of foreign policy, and commitment to transatlantic relations provide the basis for strong and productive leadership of the Council.”
In addition to Jones, several other Atlantic Council board members have joined the Obama administration: Susan Rice as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke as Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, General Eric K. Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Anne-Marie Slaughter as Director of Policy Planning at the State Department.
Brent Scowcroft, Chairman of the Atlantic Council’s International Advisory Board and head of the search committee that recommended Hagel, commended the Board’s choice: “Chuck Hagel's demonstrated leadership and well deserved reputation for supporting and advancing U.S. foreign policy interests without regard to partisan considerations will be tremendous assets to the Atlantic Council.”
Comments
Congratulations, Chuck!
We miss you in the Senate, but know you will be most successful in your new ventures.
Best wishes always.
Peg and Bob Wallace
Big Congratulations!!
Congratulation Senator Hagel on your new venture as the new chairman of the Atlantic Council. Your reason, voice and action will be sorrowfully missed in the Senate.
Head of your VA support,
Sandra Jones
Dear Mr. Hagel,
I am a democrat, and I just saw you on Rachel Maddow's show. What a breath of fresh air. The republican party seems to have lost its' mind, and you sir, gave me pause. What a change from what I've seen. Just wanted you to know that you actually impressed a dem!
Thank you for your service,
Patricia
Honorable Senator Hagel:
I have been a long time supporter. Your leadership in many issues are not only impressive but are the true example of what all of our public servents should emulate. You have demonstrated a unique quality that is unparralled leadership in todays political environment.
I wish you great success Sir.
Joshua F. Farid
Congrats Chuck.
But how you could give Sam Palmisano from IBM a Business Leader Award is beyond me. How many times has IBM been investigated for falsification of documents and tax evasion under Sam? No one has been responsible for eliminating more good jobs in America and Europe than good ol' Same.....1000's of jobs shipped to India and China to cut costs when IBM was making very good profits. Exploded executive perks and compensation while gutting the retirement and healthcare of employees. Do ethics count? Or do you just belong to the same clubs? Absolutely baffling selection.
Congratulations Senator Hagel on your new venture!
Welcome dear senator. I hope you are going to be great.
Congrats Chuck!!
Lets hope you do some great work in the senate.
A big welcome to Chuck and many congratulations. May you achieve great success in your new venture.
A lot has been riding on the shoulders of Senator chuck. Lets hope he stood up to the expectation.
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