FRIST, THOMPSON INTRODUCE BILL TO ESTABLISH HOWARD BAKER SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT AT U.T.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- To recognize one of Tennessee's best, U.S. Senators Bill Frist (R-TN) and Fred Thompson (R-TN) introduced legislation today to create the Howard Baker School of Government at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
"Howard Baker has done so much for Tennessee, and this is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to Tennessee and good, honest, honorable government service," said Frist. "This really represents the things that Senator Baker believed in, helping Tennessee, responsible leadership and a love of learning. I'm proud to play a role in this tribute to such a great Tennessean."
"I can think of no greater tribute to our friend and mentor, Senator Baker, than to unite his ideals and example with the dedication to higher education of the University of Tennessee. Throughout each phase of his life, Senator Baker has demonstrated that statesmanship is found not only in history books; it is alive and well," said Thompson.
Senators Frist and Thompson introduced this bill which was cosponsored by Senators Mike Dewine (R-OH), George Voinovich (R-OH) and Gordon Smith (R-OR). The bill authorizes $10 million for the establishment of the Baker School, as well as funding for similar schools in three other states. It passed the Senate twice last year, once as an amendment to the Internet Tax Bill and once as stand alone legislation. However, it was not enacted into law before Congress adjourned for the year.
The Howard Baker School of Government at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be housed in the renovated former Hoskins Library, where the Reading Room will be surrounded by faculty offices and seminar rooms.
The school will be organized into six components including: the Department of Political Science, the Division of Public Administration, the Division of Regional Planning, the Social Science Research Institute, the Howard Baker Public Lecture Series and the Manuscript Collections. Through these programs, the school will support: the study of democratic institutions; enhancement of citizen participation in public affairs; analysis of major public policy issues of the day; education and training of informed citizenry and public officials; and education of professionals in political science, planning, public administration and public policy.
The school will select a director to offer leadership and will appoint a number of resident and non-resident Fellows to join permanent faculty. An advisory panel of distinguished leaders in government, business and academia will be selected to provide counsel to the director and make recommendations regarding the growth and development of the school.
Thompson was also the campaign manager for Senator Howard Baker’s 1972 re-election campaign.