Kerry( Statesmanship) and GHWB (lifetime achievement) are getting awards from the

[karynnj]

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC)

The New Year is traditionally a time of hope and optimism—a chance to reflect on the past and to renew our hope for a prosperous and peaceful future. For the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), it is also a time to highlight individuals and organizations that have set the gold standard for service, patriotism, and dedication to making the world a better place.

In 2012, the 600 former Members of Congress who belong to this growing non-profit organization have selected the following winners for their 2012 annual dinner. The gala, "FMC Statesmanship Awards: A Salute to Service," will be held in Washington, D.C. on March 6.

Former President George H.W. Bush will receive FMC's "Lifetime Achievement Award." He served the nation as a WWII combat pilot, Member of Congress, CIA Director, Vice President, and President of the United States. He has continued his dedication to service during his post-presidency as founder of the Points of Light Foundation and through his efforts to help those in need following natural disasters. In addition, he created the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, which prepares future leaders to take the reins of government, and to continue his passion for giving back.

Senator John Kerry will receive FMC's "Statesmanship Award" for a lifetime of public service. After graduating from Yale University, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy, where he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, for which he was decorated with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. After graduation from law school at Boston College, he worked as a prosecutor, and then was elected Lieutenant Governor and later to the U.S. Senate, where he is currently serving his fifth term. A champion of national security, veteran's rights, public education, international relations, and many other crucial issues, he is a man of considerable passion and conviction.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/10/4176597/former-president-george-hw-bush.html#storylink=cpy

Given that this is voted on by former members of Congress, it is a very nice honor for Kerry. It shows that he is well respected by his former peers. (Even if GHWB was given an award too) I like their writeup.)

[beachmom]

1. Interesting. Will there be one event and the two

will both be there? Although GHWB is getting older and I'm not sure how much he travels.

[karynnj]

2. It looks like one Gala that is in DC on March 6

At least it is not the son.

[YvonneCa]

3. A little OT but has anyone heard...

...of a 40th Anniversary (SFRC Testimony) remembrance event?

[karynnj]

5. It is hard to believe that it is 40 years ago .... or that it was 5 years ago that many of

us went to Faneuil Hall to hear his speech on the right and responsibility to protest. That is the first time I ever heard a "real" John Kerry speech live - I did see him at a rally for Corzine to win the NJ governorship before. It is incredibly sad that very very few people ever saw this speech as it really was not covered by the same media that covered in its entirety Sarah Palin speaking to 200 people at the Tea Party convention - could it be because Kerry never thought to write his key points on his hands? For Democrats wanting a charismatic, impassioned speaker eloquently speaking their values - in 2006, Kerry was there. (It was telling that the NYT labelled his 2008 convention speech the best non acceptance speech at a Democratic convention in 2 decades - and was most enthusiastic about the pieces that came directly from this speech.

The speech was also special to me because it was the first time that I met a large group of people from this group. It was amazing meeting people and seeing that they were very much as they seemed on line.

Anyway, here is a link to the speech 5 years ago. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/192179-1

I have not heard of any remembrance event.

[YvonneCa]

8. Thanks for the link. I actually have the C-Span DVD of that...

...speech. It was a classic.

[wisteria]

4. Very nice recognition for Senator Kerry. n/t

[karynnj]

6. As many members of this group are the people who worked with him,

this is really nice. Looking at their web site, former nominees have been biased towards the Republicans. This may reflect that the Republicans are better voting en bloc - here as in the Congress. It also seems that Kerry might be the only person selected when he was still a member of Congress - singled out individually. http://usafmc.org/events/2012-statesmanship-award-dinner-a-salute-to-service/

[Mass]

7. This is great to see people recognize him including "a man of considerable passion and conviction."

It would surprise many including some on our side.

[JI7]

9. i have noticed that Kerry got along pretty well with members from both sides

of course there are typical jealous types like Jesse Helms whose mindset was still stuck half a century ago . and you have people like chuck Schumer .

but he seemed to been on good terms with others like Trent Lott.

when he ran for President he got support from some of them and people like Landrieu campaigned with him . remember this was when many who were running for the first time didn't want to appear with him. but someone who knew him like Landrieu did appear with him even though it could be used against her by republicans.

you know how there have been Senators of the same party from the same state who did not really like each other. but i noticed how Kerry got support from both. like the former ones from ohio (glenn , metzenbaum) nj (toricelli , lautenberg who loves kerry).

[karynnj]

10. Kerry actually got along better with Jesse Helms than many other Democrats

When Kerry was a freshman Senator, Lugar's condition for giving Kerry a committee to investigate illegal arming of the Contras was that he needed to get a Republican willing to join him. Helms was a very strong supporter of the Contras, but he was seriously against drugs -like cocaine - coming into the country. It may have been Kerry's military background and the vets who came to Kerry asking for this investigation that persuaded him, but whatever it was, he signed on. Long term, he was not supportive, but without him Kerry would never have had the subpoena power to investigate this.

In addition, in the Clinton years, Helms decided - as chair of SFRC - to bloc Clinton's nominations for ambassador. It was Kerry who worked out a compromise that allowed the majority of them to go forward.

I had never thought of it, but Landrieu did very publicly support him and they had a nice event speaking of the ecological things that needed to be done in Louisiana.

Even in the dysfunctional Senate we now have, there are many Senators, who publicly praised Kerry after he convinced Kharzi to follow his country's election laws and have a run off and after he managed the START treaty confirmation. He and Olympia Snowe had a very friendly, cordial relationship running the Small Business Committee - as he does with Lugar. His relationship with McCain is complex, but it is obviously deep. Senator John Warner clearly liked and admired Kerry - when the Democrats were making life difficult for Kerry when Kerry/Feingold was debated, Warner suggested they debate the bill on the floor of the Senate. They did for most of a half hour. In addition to praising parts of the plan, but saying it was premature, he took the time to put in the Senate record that he approved Kerry's silver star, when he was Secretary of the Navy and it was well earned. Kerry got Warner's office when Warner retired and Warner left him a gift of a " binnacle, a tool sailors use to point out the right direction and light a path forward." http://voices.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2008/12/at_end_of_road_john_warner_sti.html After leaving the Senate, Warner appeared before a SFRC hearing on climate change (which Warner was then working on), where the initial greetings showed the warmth of their mutual admiration.

Not to mention, how can you get more bipartisan than saving the life of a member of the opposite party - as Kerry did with Nevada Senator Hecht.

Now, I suspect there are others - McConnell, Cornyn, and DeMint who likely absolutely hate Kerry - and always will.