Rudman opens Great Issues series

Former senator to lecture on terrorism and its threat

Published October 20, 2003; Category: MUSIC

Former U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman, (R-N.H.) co-chair of the presidential commission on national security that predicted a major terrorist attack against American civilians prior to Sept. 11, 2001, will speak on "International Terrorism: The Threat to America," at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Alumni Hall. His presentation is the first in the Great Issues lecture series sponsored by the Dickey Center for International Understanding. The speech is free and open to the public.

Rudman was co-chair of the National Security Study Group, otherwise known as the Hart/Rudman Commission, convened by President Bill Clinton in 1998 to examine America's security apparatus. In the spring immediately preceding Sept. 11, 2001, the Commission predicted that a terrorist attack against American civilians would result in large numbers of casualties.

In his speech, Rudman will address the Commission's findings that the U.S. was totally unprepared to deal with terrorist acts against its homeland, as well as the underlying reasons for such attacks and how to diminish the risk of attack. Other topics include the threat of weapons of mass destruction, the role of intelligence in prevention, cyber security and the need to change and expand the role of first responders in local and state government.

According to Dickey Center Director Kenneth Yalowitz, "Senator Rudman's presentation will focus on one of the most critical issues facing the United States today. It is a fitting beginning to this series of lectures and symbolizes the Dartmouth commitment as envisaged by President Dickey to be aware and involved in international affairs."

A graduate of Syracuse University and Boston College Law School, Warren Rudman served in the U.S. Army as a combat platoon leader and company commander during the Korean War, achieving the rank of captain. After earning his law degree, he practiced law in his hometown of Nashua, N.H., before being appointed attorney general of New Hampshire in 1970. He was elected U.S. Senator from New Hampshire in 1980, then reelected in 1986. After retiring from the Senate in 1992, he resumed practicing law, and along with former Sen. Paul Tsongas and former Commerce Secretary Pete Peterson, co-founded the Concord Coalition, a nonprofit organization intended to raise public awareness of the U.S. fiscal situation.

In 1993, Rudman was appointed to the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, one of many advisory roles he has played regarding foreign policy issues since leaving the Senate. He was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal for his years of public service in 2001 by President Bill Clinton. He also has received distinguished service medals from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of Defense. In spring 2002, Rudman was appointed to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Rudman is author of Combat: Twelve Years in the U.S. Senate (Random House, 1996). He also serves on the boards of several corporations, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

The Great Issues series will feature noted figures in government, journalism, education and business speaking on matters of national and international concern. Modeled after the Great Issues course instituted by Dartmouth President John Sloan Dickey in 1947, the series is intended to promote public-mindedness, foster an interchange of ideas on important issues of the time and help students make the transition from the classroom to leadership roles in the international arena. In upcoming terms, Great Issues lectures will bring to campus distinguished speakers on international health and bioethics issues, and on the impact of globalizing cultural trends, especially on traditional societies and their languages.

By TAMARA STEINERT

First Great Issues Lecture

• "International Terrorism: The Threat to America"
• Former U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman
• Tuesday, Oct. 28
• 4:30 p.m.
• Alumni Hall, Hopkins Center
• Free and open to the public