A Tribute to Richard Lugar
Richard Lugar with then-Senator Barack Obama in August 2005 near Perm, Russia
When Richard Lugar passed from our midst on April 28, we lost a statesman with true grit. No matter your political leanings, we can admire Lugar's passion and resilience. Born in Indianapolis, Lugar began his public service in 1964 on the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners. His political career had many ups and downs, epitomized by his short-lived 1996 campaign for the Republican nomination for President. On the upside, he served six terms in the US Senate before being defeated in 2012 in his run for reelection.
I especially admire Lugar's resiliency in launching the Lugar Center in Washington following his service in the Senate. The Lugar Center is focused on his passions: Global Food Security, WMD Nonproliferation, Foreign Aid Effectiveness, and Bipartisan Governance. In my judgment, it took true grit to continue advocacy for these causes after his resounding defeat in the run for a seventh term in the Senate.
As I've thought about Lugar's legacy, I've concluded he would have been a model member of IndyGrit.Community because he was known for the three character qualities we especially value: humility, curiosity, and generosity. What will you be remembered for?