Former Speaker Tom Foley Leads First Session of the Presidential Lecture Series

This afternoon, Thomas S. Foley, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Ambassador to Japan, addressed more than 400 students interning in Washington, D.C. through The Washington Center’s internship program. His address, delivered at the U.S. Department of the Interior, was followed by an engaging question and answer discussion with the students. This event marked the first session of The Washington Center’s Presidential Lecture Series for the Fall 2005 semester.

Ambassador Foley served as congressman from his home state of Washington from 1965 to 1995. During his tenure, he held the positions of majority whip and majority leader for the Democrats and served as Speaker of the House for three terms. Subsequently, he served as Ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001. He spoke to The Washington Center interns about his career in public service and stated that those who hold public office “should be grateful to have the honor of representing others.”

Ambassador Foley stressed the importance of taking advantage of the good luck and opportunities that are presented to students in the present and future. “Sometimes you must be willing to take a risk,” he said, referring to his own hesitation before deciding to run for Congress the first time.

In telling a humorous anecdote about his orientation when he arrived in Washington, D.C. as a freshman congressman, Ambassador Foley also underscored the importance of being able to think and speak for oneself, especially when one is being influenced by others.

Several students asked him for advice regarding entering into politics. He suggested that becoming involved in a campaign is the best way for a young person to get a foot in the door politically. Having the enthusiasm for representing others is also a trait that Ambassador Foley suggested those in public service must have. He told the students that there is and should be a “thrill of giving a voice to the voiceless.”

When asked for the best way to become an ambassador or high ranking official in the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Foley answered that gaining foreign service experience is the best course to take. He spoke of the importance of understanding things that occur outside of the United States and of understanding and appreciating different cultures. Ambassador Foley stated that it is never too late to learn another language, though he jokingly conceded that “it’s nearly impossible to teach a 70 year old man Japanese,” in reference to his age at the time of his ambassadorship to Japan.

Ambassador Foley left the students with his favorite quotation from Thomas Jefferson that nicely encapsulated his message to the students, “Sir, I hope to be remembered for what I have done for others, not for what others have done for me.

The Washington Center’s Presidential Lecture Series for the Fall 2005 Semester also includes as speakers Ambassador of Great Britain to the United States David Manning, U.S. Treasurer Ana Cabral, Harvard University Lecturer and Senior Fellow Marvin Kalb, former syndicated columnist Colman McCarthy, 9/11 Commissioner Fred Fielding, and U.s. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit educational organization founded in 1975. Its mission is to prepare college and university students for civic leadership through experiential education. In this way, The Washington Center seeks to promote future leadership for the public, private and nonprofit sectors of society. It has served more than 34,000 students from over 1,000 colleges and universities. Visit our website

Dates & Deadlines

Competitive deadline for Spring 2009 Semester, Winter and Spring Quarters and Postgraduate is September 29, 2008.

Early deadline range for Summer 2009 Term, Quarter and Postgraduate begins September 29, 2008.

Regular deadline for Spring 2009 Semester, Winter and Spring Quarters and Postgraduate is November 15, 2008.

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