From: athos@apple.com (Rick Eames)
Newsgroups: ba.politics
Subject: HERSCHENSOHN: Biography
Date: 8 Sep 92 05:49:27 GMT
Followup-To: ba.politics,ca.politics
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

BRUCE HERSCHENSOHN
Biography

"If all Americans were like you, America would certainly would not perish."
--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn letter to Bruce Herschensohn.

Bruce Herschensohn is well known and highly regarded by Californians for
his political commentary on KABC television and radio; his distinguished
service under three US presidents; and his pioneering work in the American
film industry, chronicling some of the most important moments in recent
world history.

A CALIFORNIA SUCCESS STORY

In 1941, eight-year-old Bruce Herschensohn moved with his family from his
birthplace of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and arrived in California.  The post-war
years were a time of tremendous growth and opportunity in Los Angeles, and
Bruce's early years mirrored the experiences of thousands of young
Californians: He graduated from University High School in Los Angeles in
1950, landed his first job as a "box boy" with the Ralph's grocery chain,
and later became a messenger for RKO studios.  After serving in the US Air
Force in 1951-52, Bruce returned to RKO.

Bruce moved to the aerospace company General Dynamics in 1954, working in
their San Diego headquarters as a film editor and director before returning
to Los Angeles in 1956 and forming his own film company at the age of 24,
which produced documentary films for government and business throughout the
next decade.

Bruce directed, wrote, filmed and composed music for the USIA documentary,
"John F. Kennedy: Years of Lightning, Days of Drums."  USIA films cannot be
shown in the United States, but a non-partisan act of Congress allowed this
important film to be shown in this country.  At the age of 30, he also
accompanied President Kennedy to the Berlin Wall in 1961, and personally
financed production of "God in a Strange Place," a documentary about the
effects of school desegregation in the South during the late 1950s.  He
also was a film maker on several films about the US space program,
including "The Towers of Canaveral" and "Friendship Seven."  In addition,
he was a founding director of the American Film Institute.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Since his first association with the US Information Agency, Bruce's
ambition was to apply his communications expertise to public service.  And
in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him Director of Motion
Picture and Television Services for USIA.  Bruce stayed on under the Nixon
administration, leaving behind an impressive record of achievement: Four
USIA films produced during his six-year tenure were nominated for an
"Oscar" by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, one film won the
coveted award in 1969.

From 1972 to 1974, Bruce served as a deputy special assistant to President
Nixon at the White House, and undertook domestic and foreign policy issues.

ON THE AIR

After a 1978 ABC network broadcast of "Washington Behind Closed Doors," a
movie about the Nixon administration, Bruce was asked to provide his
commentary for KABC-Los Angeles.  His commentary was so well-received by
the public that the station asked him to become a permanent part of KABC,
providing political debates and commentary for their radio and television
stations.

POLITICAL CAREER

A dedicated Republican, Bruce Herschensohn has been an integral part of
Republican conventions and campaigns over the past three decades.  He
served on the 1980 Reagan transition team.  President Reagan personally
thanked Bruce for his "informed and eloquent voice" in support of goals and
ideas they shared over more than a decade of friendship.

Bruce temporarily left KABC in 1986, and became a candidate for the US
Senate.  He finished a strong second in a field of thirteen candidates, and
vigorously campaigned for then-Rep. Ed Zschau and against incumbent Sen.
Alan Cranston in the general election.  Bruce helped raise thousands of
dollars against Cranston and made campaign appearances in California cities
for Zschau after the June primary.  Vice President George Bush said Bruce's
loyalty to the California G.O.P. "set a truly high standard for all of us
in politics."

In 1988, Bruce personally campaigned for George Bush as one of four
California co-chairs of The Committee for the Presidency, and independent
organization supporting the Bush-Quayle ticket.

AUTHOR AND LECTURER

While launching his radio and television career, Bruce authored "The Gods
of Antenna," a controversial book about the media, and worked with Soviet
author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Bruce is a popular speaker and guest lecturer.  He has spoken on both
domestic and foreign policy to college audiences from Harvard University to
UCLA and has taught courses at the University of Maryland and Whittier
College.  Bruce is also former chairman of the University Board at
Pepperdine University, which awarded him an honorary Doctor of Law degree.

Bruce travels widely, and has visited over 90 different countries.  Closer
to home, he serves on the board of the Los Angeles Mission, a private
corporation that gives aid and assistance to the homeless.

HONORS AND AWARDS

"Ten Outstanding Young Men" (with Neil Armstrong)
The Arthur S. Flemming Award

The Distinguished Service Medal
(Second Highest Civilian Award)

The Heritage of Freedom Award

Congress of the Unites States: Outstanding Service to the Community Award.

"Golden Mike" Award from the Radio & Television News Association of
Southern California

Outstanding American Award of the Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation

Commentator of the Year, Republican Women of Southern California

First Annual American-Israel Friendship Award

County of Los Angeles Dedicated Service Award




--
Rick Eames                               My Opinions Are My Own (not
Apple's)
athos@apple.com

HERSCHENSOHN for US Senate.  Just say "No" to Barbara Boxer.
Newsgroups: ba.politics,talk.politics.misc