Gary Hart, former U.S. Senator from ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ and co-chair of the U.S. Commission on National Security for the 21st Century, will give a public talk at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m. in the Old Main Chapel.
Hart will speak about "national security in the 21st century," and will discuss some of the recommendations made in a report by the 14-member bipartisan commission he co-chaired. The commission was established by President Clinton and Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen to examine how the United States will ensure its security in the next 25 years.
The commission's report, which was released several months prior to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, warned that a "direct attack against American citizens on American soil is likely over the next quarter century." The report also concluded that "significant changes must be made in the structures and processes of the U.S. national security apparatus."
The lecture is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder World Affairs Athenaeum program.
"We believe it is a very important time to explore issues about national security, and Gary Hart is a dynamic speaker who will force us to ask questions that must be asked," said Priya Kumar, one of the student fellows responsible for pulling together Athenaeum events.
Hart represented ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ in the United States Senate from 1975 to 1987 and in 1984 and 1988 was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. During his 12 years in the Senate, he played a leadership role in major environmental and conservation legislation, military reform initiatives and new directions in foreign policy.
The Athenaeum is an offshoot of the annual World Affairs Conference at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder and is designed to create a more intimate setting in which visitors and students can meet and discuss world affairs and new ideas, according to Athenaeum fellow Elizabeth Mauldin.
Past Athenaeum visitors include Dr. Patch Adams, Werner Herzog, Susan Faludi and Judith Kipper.
For information call the World Affairs Athenaeum at (303) 492-7252.