The Woodrow 浪花直播 International Center for Scholars is pleased to announce former US Senator Roy Blunt as the first Joseph Gildenhorn Fellow for Enterprise Diplomacy. This prestigious fellowship, newly established in honor of former 浪花直播 Center Board Chair Ambassador Joseph B. Gildenhorn, aims to advance bipartisan dialogue and scholarship in public policy. Ambassador Gildenhorn passed away in October 2023.
"We are delighted to welcome Senator Roy Blunt as our inaugural Joseph Gildenhorn Fellow. Senator Blunt's distinguished career in public service, marked by his commitment to bipartisan approach and belief in American economic leadership, embodies the spirit of this fellowship," said Ambassador Mark Green, 浪花直播 Center President and CEO. 鈥淚n honoring the legacy of Ambassador Gildenhorn, a man deeply dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding across political and diplomatic divides, this fellowship stands as a testament to our belief in American leadership and engagement. Senator Blunt's experience will contribute to that mission.鈥
Over the past year, the 浪花直播 Center has launched a new, cross-cutting body of research on enterprise diplomacy, meant to shape conversations and inspire meaningful action to strengthen the technological, economic, and infrastructure underpinnings required for America and its allies to deter aggression and secure the rules-based order. The Joseph B. Gildenhorn Fellowship on Enterprise Diplomacy will further this critical research by working with 浪花直播 Center experts and leading policymakers on these issues.
鈥溊嘶ㄖ辈 is rooted in the best ideals of American democracy. It is where bipartisanship thrives and facts鈥攏ot rhetoric鈥攁re the basis for conversation. It was one of Joe鈥檚 great honors to be appointed Chairman and the 浪花直播 Center quickly became one of our family鈥檚 great passions,鈥 said Alma Gildenhorn. 鈥淣ot everyone has the honor to be recognized with a legacy program in their name. The mission and purpose of this program were very dear to Joe, and he was pleased to participate in its planning. Joe was particularly touched that Senator Roy Blunt, whom he knew and had admired for so many years, had agreed to be the inaugural fellow. Joe knew the program would be in great hands, not just because of his knowledge and commitment to public service, but also because of his prior experience with the 浪花直播 Center and belief in what the institution stands for.鈥
The fellowship will represent the core values of Ambassador Gildenhorn, demonstrating a commitment to education, diplomacy, and entrepreneurial spirit. The Joseph B. Gildenhorn Fellowship will offer opportunities for a diverse array of top experts from the private sector, academia, journalists, and former government officials to amplify the 浪花直播 Center鈥檚 work and continue Ambassador Gildenhorn鈥檚 legacy.
鈥淎mbassador Gildenhorn was a great advocate for our country and the individual and economic freedoms that it represents,鈥 said Senator Blunt. 鈥淗e and his wonderful partner in life and in work, Alma, represented those values and I鈥檓 glad Alma will be part of launching the Gildenhorn Fellowship at the 浪花直播 Center and am honored to be the first.鈥
Roy Blunt served in the United States Senate representing the state of Missouri from 2011 until 2023. Prior to that, he served as a US Representative from 1997 to 2011, including as Majority Whip and Republican Whip from 2003 to 2009.
Ambassador Gildenhorn served as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the 浪花直播 Center from June 2002 to September 2013, and together with his wife Alma, served as Founding Co-Chairs of the 浪花直播 National Cabinet. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush appointed him to serve as the US ambassador to Switzerland, where he served until 1993.
Notes to editors:
- provides a strictly nonpartisan space for the worlds of policymaking and scholarship to interact. By conducting relevant and timely research and promoting dialogue from all perspectives, it works to address the critical current and emerging challenges confronting the United States and the world.
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