For Immediate Release:
Monday, June 20, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C - As part of his Summer Internship program, U.S. Representative Dan Boren brought back a tradition began by his father, former U.S. Senator David Boren.  Dubbed the Brown Bag Luncheon Speaker Series, Boren has asked some high profile speakers to address interns from his and other Oklahoma congressional offices.

 

“It’s not only an honor, but a responsibility to educate the young minds of tomorrow’s leaders,” Boren said.  Boren says that he hopes the lecture series will “enhance the internships of many bright young Oklahomans and augment their learning experiences here in Washington D.C.”   

 

Packed into Boren’s Capitol Hill office, today Oklahoma interns gathered around former CIA Director George Tenet to hear him speak about his life in politics.  Serving under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Tenet led the Central Intelligence Agency through some of the most tumultuous times at the agency in recent years.

 

“One of the greatest things about political experience is sharing it with young people,” Tenet said.  Tenet spoke with interns about some of the challenges he faced when taking over the CIA.  He also encouraged interns to continue in public service, emphasizing ‘presentation skills and honesty’ as key to political leadership.  

 

Boren tapped former Presidential advisor David Gergen to kick off the speaker series last Thursday.  Gergen was an advisor to Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Ford and Clinton – serving as Nixon’s chief speechwriter when the Watergate scandal began to unfold.  During his lecture, he shared stories and anecdotes about working in the White House telling listeners that “ambition, curiosity, and character” were the elements of effective leadership. 

 

Boren’s next guest will be Donald E. Graham, CEO of The Washington Post Company and chairman of The Washington Post newspaper.  Graham is scheduled to speak in Boren’s office on July 15^th.  

 

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