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Sen. Lugar speaks to the War College’s class of 2006

Newport, R.I., -- Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana delivered the commencement speech at the Naval War College on Friday, June 16.

In his address to 649 War College graduates, Lugar, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee charged the War College’s graduating class to; “Think how you can contribute to the retooling of U.S. foreign policy.

“The United States must be ambitious at working with other nations to shape the world, because that is what will prevent crises in the future.”

Lugar believes that the International Programs at the Naval War College provide an invaluable tool to achieving America’s foreign policy.

“I am excited by the scope of the program,” he said. “The number of countries that participate and the quality of instruction shows a promising trend.”

Lugar alluded to the role that the Navy and the international programs played in 2004 tsunami relief efforts inSoutheast Asia.

“The Navy formed the network that made the response possible,” he said. “Indonesian Navy (War College) graduates helped to coordinate at the highest levels. And when the chips were down, it wasn’t warfare, but a humanitarian crisis that required our attention.”

This year, service members from 64 countries around the world graduated from the War College’s international programs—the Naval Command College (NCC) and the Naval Staff College. It was the 50th graduating class of the NCC.

These prestigious programs have produced hundreds of chiefs of service and dozens of heads of state worldwide.

Lugar also praised the Bush administration’s proactive approach in foreign policy, when the landmark nuclear agreement was concluded with India in 2005.

“The India agreement represents the most important strategic diplomatic initiative undertaken by President Bush,” he said. “It represents a fundamental departure from the crisis management mentality that has dominated foreign policy in both the executive and legislative branches in recent years.”

Lugar went on to say that the United States would only be prepared to handle crises if the United States has a strong foreign policy. He called on the War College’s class of 2006 to use what they have learned to help shape global transformational events.

“The Naval War College and its graduates have been in the vanguard of strategic thinking in this country, and we ask you to continue this tradition,” he said. “We bear a huge responsibility in leading our nation to a more secure and prosperous future and in strengthening the international community to solve global problems.”

Lugar served as an officer in the Navy in the late 1950s. He entered public service as mayor of Indianapolis in 1963. Today, he is the longest serving Senator from Indiana; currently in his fifth term. His honorary Naval War College Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies is the 40th honorary degree he has received as a public servant.

After commencement ceremonies Lugar took the time to meet with War College graduates from Indiana.


06/21/2006
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