Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sam Nunn (D-GA) to Receive 2013 Statesmanship Awards From U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress

Actor Gary Sinise, The Gary Sinise Foundation, and Margery Kraus, CEO of APCO Worldwide, will also be recognized for their public service and philanthropy. Colbert I. King is the Emcee.  

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many current and former Members of Congress can point to bipartisan efforts that have strengthened American democracy over the years. While there have been many examples of cooperation from both sides of the aisle, Senators Richard Lugar and Sam Nunn exemplify how working together can not only help strengthen the country's national security, but also set an example of bipartisanship at its best.

WHAT/WHERE/WHEN: On Tuesday, March 19, 8 PM to 9:45 PM, at the Ritz Carlton, 1150 22^nd St. NW, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) will present Senators Lugar and Nunn, Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation, and Margery Kraus, CEO of APCO Worldwide, with its "Statesmanship Awards," at the non-profit organization's 16^th annual, "Salute to Service: Statesmanship Awards Dinner". There will also be many wounded warriors in attendance including three mothers and their sons from Walter Reed and others that FMC and the Gary Sinise Foundation support. 

WHO: Senator Lugar was the Republican leader of the Foreign Relations Committee, and was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976. Senator Nunn served in the Senate from 1972-1996, and is currently Co-Chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative.  Pioneers in reducing the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, they forged a bipartisanship partnership by creating the Nunn-Lugar Program. The organization provides assistance to Russia and the former Soviet Republics for securing and destroying their excess nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. To date, the program has deactivated more than 7,600 nuclear warheads.

Award-winning actor, humanitarian and "Presidential Citizens Medal" recipient Gary Sinise, will receive the "Civic Statesmanship Award" for his dedication to serving America's defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need through the Gary Sinise Foundation, as well as Operation International Children, which he co-founded in 2004. In addition to his foundation work, he's done numerous personal appearances and concerts with his Lt. Dan Band worldwide, raising spirits and boosting the morale of hundreds of thousands of troops and their families.

Margery Kraus, a leader in the philanthropic community, and founder and CEO of APCO Worldwide, will receive the "Corporate Statesmanship Award" for pioneering one of her industry's earliest practices of corporate philanthropy. Under Kraus' leadership, she has instilled a corporate culture of giving back, encouraging employees to participate in numerous service projects. She also helped create the "Close Up Foundation," a multi-million dollar non-profit organization that empowers young people from all walks of life to become responsible and engaged citizens.     

DETAILS: Coverage of the dinner is invited. There will also be opportunities to interview all of the award winners, FMC president Connie Morella (R-MD), and other former Members of Congress by request. Credentials will be required.

FMC BACKGROUND:  The mission of FMC is to promote public service and strengthen democracy via domestic and international programs. FMC seeks to improve the public's understanding of the role of Congress as a unique institution, as well as the crucial importance of representative democracy as a system of government.  Former members of Congress participate in many diverse pro-bono projects such as election monitoring abroad, outreach to high school and university students, and programs with current Members of Congress.

SOURCE U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress