News about Stennis Center

FRESHMAN SENATORS MEET WITH ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

On June 8th, eight freshman United States Senators and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff gathered in the United State Capitol for a dinner discussion sponsored by the Stennis Center.  Led by U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the event provided an opportunity for freshman Senators and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to get to know each other through an informal discussion focused on the military. This program is part of the Stennis Center's ongoing work to bring together civilian and military leaders to develop relationships and understanding that will strengthen national security leadership.  Freshman Senators participating in the program were: Senator Mark Begich of Alaska, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, Senator Roland Burris of Illinois, Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Senator Mark Udall of Colorado and Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico.

USS ENTERPRISE LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS TRAVEL TO D.C.

On June 22 & 23, 2009, last year's USS ENTERPRISE leadership award winners and their guests toured Washington, D.C., where they meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff and other civilian leaders.  The trip is a part of the Stennis Center's continuing effort to strengthen understanding and relationships between civilian leaders and the military.  They are pictured with Admiral James L. Holloway III, former CO of the ENTERPRISE and former Chief of Naval Operations, who is also the namesake of one of the aircraft carrier's leadership awards.

Click here to read more about the Stennis Center's Leadership Award Program with eight of the Navy's aircraft carriers.

TRUMAN SCHOLARS MEET ON CAPITOL HILL

Forty-four Harry S. Truman Scholars selected in 2008 gathered on June 19, 2009 in the new Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. for "Truman Scholars Day on Capitol Hill."  The young leaders met with Judy Schneider, a specialist on the Congress at the Congressional Research Service, and Donald Ritchie, Associate Historian in the Senate Historical Office.  They also met with former Truman Scholars, Bob Holste and Peg McGlinch, who have served in high ranking staff positions on Capitol Hill.  Finally, the Truman Scholars were paired with Stennis Fellows, who escorted them to personal and committee offices of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.  The purpose of the program is to provide Truman Scholars with intimate exposure to Congress and those who make Congress work as an institution of American democracy.  View a slideshow of the 2009 Truman Scholars Day on Capitol Hill.

2009 STENNIS PROGRAM FOR CONGRESSIONAL INTERNS BEGINS
On June 15th, the Stennis Center's Congressional Intern program held its first session at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.  The program is designed to provide congressional summer interns with a unique opportunity to gain a better understanding of the operation of the Congress and an appreciation for the institutional role it plays in our democracy.  The first session featured a discussion of the roles and responsibilities of personal, committee and leadership offices.  In addition, they learned how the offices interact with each other as well as the differences between House and Senate offices.  Our panelists included Rochelle Dornatt, Chief of Staff to Rep. Sam Farr, Jo-Marie St. Martin, General Counsel and Director of Legislative Operations for House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Mike Evans, former Chief Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee and former General Counsel for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

USS BUSH OFFICERS ARE PRESENTED AWARDS BY PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH   

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) recognized the outstanding leadership of Lt. Jamaal Lofton and Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW/FMF) Dennis Taylor on May 27.  Lofton was presented with the 2009 George H.W. Bush Leadership Award while Taylor received the 2009 Senior Chief Storekeeper Charles G. Zwierzynski Leadership Award. 

As a special honor, the award was presented to Lofton and Taylor by the ship's namesake, former President George H.W. Bush and his daughter Doro Bush Koch, the ship's sponsor. Bush and his daughter were visiting the ship to observe flight operations.

The Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership partners with eight aircraft carriers to recognize some of the men and women who demonstrate outstanding public service leadership.

The leadership awards program on each of the carriers is recognized as an opportunity to honor individuals who are representative of the leadership throughout the ships that is necessary to successfully perform the complex missions of aircraft carriers.  The Stennis Center takes pride in being able to present the awards on behalf of American civilians as an expression of gratitude for the essential service provided by the men and women in military uniform.

 
REGIONAL SUMMIT OF SOUTHERN WOMEN LEADERS

On May 28-29, female leaders from three Southern states - Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi - gathered in Jackson, Mississippi to discuss ways to promote, strengthen and encourage women leaders in public service.  This regional summit built on the work of the Stennis Center's 2008 Summit of Southern Women Leaders in Georgia, with its emphasis on an interactive dialogue-based program in which participants share ideas with each other. The women explored where we have come from regarding women's political leadership, where we are now, where we should go and how do we get there with purpose, planning and action.