Bob Graham to speak on Civility at USF Sarasota-Manatee

 

SARASOTA, FL (January 7, 2008) – Bob Graham, former two–term governor and three-term U.S. Senator from Florida, will speak at USF Sarasota-Manatee on Friday, Jan 11 at 4:00 p.m. in the Selby Auditorium.  His address, which is free and open to the public, is entitled, “Keep it Civil: We CAN All Just Get Along.”

 

Graham’s appearance is part of a lecture series entitled “Civility in Democracy: Election 2008.” The series is a partnership between Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, the Collins Center for Public Policy, and the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership at USF Sarasota-Manatee and is funded by Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  The series is designed to promote civility in public life, to improve statesmanship among elected officials, and to increase citizen participation in the community and to communicate in a more respectful and effective way.

 

“Civility in Democracy” is one of a number of projects Gulf Coast Community Foundation will sponsor during its three-year initiative on civility entitled “Because It Matters,” which was announced in the Fall of 2007.  

 

As Governor and Senator, Bob Graham was a centrist, committed to bringing his colleagues together behind programs that served the broadest public interest. He was recognized by the people of Florida when he received an 83 percent approval ranking as he concluded eight years as Governor.  Graham retired from public service in January 2005, following his Presidential campaign in 2004. He is recognized for his leadership on issues ranging from health care and environmental preservation to his 10 years of service on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence — including 18 months as chairman in 2001–2002

 

Following the release of the Joint Inquiry’s final report in July 2003, Senator Graham steadfastly advocated reform of the intelligence community and sponsored legislation to bring about needed changes. In the fall of 2004 Senator Graham authored “Intelligence Matters” based upon his experiences gleaned during the joint inquiry and his analysis of the run up to the Iraq war. He will be available to autograph copies of the book during a reception following his address.

 

Currently Sen. Graham serves as the chair of the Board of Overseers of the Graham Center for Public Policy. This Center, with a home at the University of Florida and the University of Miami, initiated programs in the fall of 2007 in the areas of Public Leadership, Homeland Security, and The Americas, subjects in which he has been deeply involved during his public career.

 

Seating at the event is limited, so reservations are recommended. To reserve a seat, call Donna Fitzpatrick-Conard at 359-4774 or e-mail dfconard@sar.usf.edu.

 

The Institute for Public Policy and Leadership at USF Sarasota-Manatee seeks to help shape the future social, economic, and governmental environments that influence the lives of citizens --especially in the South Tampa Bay region--by serving as an effective, high quality knowledge resource, broker, and facilitator. It conducts non-partisan research, deliberation, training and education on important public policy and leadership issues. The underlying objective is to foster informed public decision making and responsible and ethical governance.  For more information about IPPL, visit www.sarasota.usf.edu/ippl/

 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice builds strong communities through leadership, partnership, and endowed philanthropy.  A public charity committed to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves, it is the largest community foundation in Florida with assets of $260 million.  The Foundation was founded in late 1995 and has awarded more than $72 million in grants in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic affairs, and the environment. The Board of the Foundation envisions a region known for endowed philanthropy, a vital nonprofit community, and the ability to address emerging issues.

For more information about the Foundation, visit gulfcoastcf.org.

 

The Collins Center for Public Policy finds smart solutions to important issues facing the people of Florida and the nation. We are independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit and passionately committed to lasting results. Established in 1988, the results-driven Collins Center is uniquely organized to respond quickly to pressing needs and maintains the flexibility required to focus on what matters most to Florida. The Collins Center is not affiliated with the state university system or any individual university. Additional information is available at www.collinscenter.org.