DEPAUW NEWS ARCHIVE

American Values are topic of presentation by William Bennett and Andrew Young 

February 24, 2000 

Two of the most influential voices in the nation's cultural and political life today will share their views on American values during a joint
appearance at DePauw University on Thursday, March 2. 

William Bennett and Andrew Young, who both have long and distinguished records in public service, will give The Timothy and
Sharon Ubben Lecture on “American Values: Disaffection, Outrage, Renewal” at 1 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, Kresge
Auditorium. They also will participate in a question-and-answer session at 3 p.m. in Thompson Recital Hall. Both events are open
and free to the public. 

During the 1980s, Bennett emerged as one of the nation's leading political figures, serving as chairman of the National Endowment for
the Humanities and Secretary of Education under President Reagan and as “drug czar” under President Bush. Since leaving
government, Bennett has accomplished the rare feat of achieving an even greater impact on the national political debate. 

He has written and edited 10 books, including The Book of Virtues , The Children's Book of Virtues and Our Sacred Honor. His
newest book, The Death of Outrage: Bill Clinton and the Assault on American Ideals, spent several weeks on The New York
Times bestseller list. 

Bennett, a Republican, continues to tackle some of the most important issues facing society today through his roles as co-chair with
former Democratic Senator Sam Nunn of the National Commission on Civic Renewal and co-chair with former Democratic
Governor Mario Cuomo of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. He serves as a John M. Olin Distinguished Fellow at the
Heritage Foundation and co-director of Empower America. 

Young , who has spent more than 40 years in public service, was elected to three terms in the U.S. Congress, where he represented
the Fifth Congressional District of Georgia. In 1977 he resigned his seat in the House of Representatives to become U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations under President Carter. Recently, President Clinton appointed Young chairman of the new
Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund, a $100 million fund designed to help establish small and medium-size businesses
throughout Southern Africa. 

Elected to two terms as mayor of Atlanta in 1981 and 1985, Young is credited with revitalizing the city. Following his terms as
mayor, he joined Law Companies Group, Inc., one of the most respected engineering and environmental consulting companies in the
world, and in 1993 was appointed vice chairman. 

He is a member of numerous boards, including Delta Airlines, Thomas Nelson Publishing Company, Host Marriott Corporation, the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Global Infrastructure Fund and Center for Global Partnership. Among the awards he has received are
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award; the Legion d'Honneur (France); and more than 45 honorary
degrees. 

After serving as associate director of the Department of Youth Work for the National Council of Churches in New York City, Young
returned to Atlanta in 1961 to work as a top aide to Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights movement. He later served as
executive vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and he wrote of his experiences in his book, An Easy
Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America.