114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 22 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Whereas in 1964, John W. Gardner presented the idea of selecting a handful of outstanding men and women to come 

to Washington, DC to participate as White House Fellows and learn the workings of the highest levels of the 

Government, learn about leadership as they observed the 

officials of the United States in action, and meet with 

these officials and other leaders of society; 

Whereas John W. Gardner believed that serving as Fellows 

would strengthen the abilities and desires of the Fellows 

to contribute to their communities, their professions, and 

their country; 

Whereas President Lyndon B. Johnson established the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships through 

Executive Order 11183 (October 3, 1964) to create a 

program that would select between 11 and 19 outstanding young people of the United States every year 

and bring them to Washington, DC for ‘‘first hand, highlevel experience in the workings of the Federal Government, to establish an era when the young men and 

women of America and their government belonged to 

each other—belonged to each other in fact and in spirit’’; 

Whereas the White House Fellows program has steadfastly 

remained a nonpartisan program that has served and 

been supported by 9 Presidents exceptionally well; 
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Whereas the 725 White House Fellows who have served have 

established a legacy of leadership in every aspect of our 

society, including— 

(1) appointments as Cabinet officers, ambassadors, 

special envoys, United States Attorneys, deputy and assistant secretaries of departments, and senior White 

House staff; 

(2) election to the House of Representatives, the 

Senate, and State and local government; 

(3) appointments to the Federal, State, and local judiciary; 

(4) leadership in many of the largest corporations 

and law firms in the United States; and 

(5) service as presidents of colleges and universities, 

deans of the most distinguished graduate schools in the 

United States, officials in nonprofit organizations, leaders 

in national journalism and the working press, senior leaders in every branch of the Armed Forces of the United 

States, and distinguished scholars and historians; 

Whereas the legacy of leadership of the White House Fellows 

program is a national resource that has served the 

United States in major challenges, including— 

(1) organizing resettlement operations following the 

Vietnam War; 

(2) assisting with the national response to terrorist 

attacks; 

(3) managing the aftermath of natural disasters, 

such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; 

(4) providing support to earthquake victims in Haiti 

and Nepal; 

(5) serving in the Armed Forces of the United 

States in Iraq and Afghanistan; and 
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(6) reforming and innovating in national and international securities and capital markets; 

Whereas the post-Fellowship years of the 725 White House 

Fellows are characterized by a demonstrable lifetime 

commitment to public service through continuing personal and professional renewal and association, creating 

a White House Fellows Community of Mutual Support 

for leadership at every level of government and in every 

element of life in the United States; and 

Whereas, September 1, 2015, marked the 50th anniversary of 

the first class of White House Fellows to serve the 

United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 

4 White House Fellows program and commends the 

5 White House Fellows for their continuing lifetime 

6 commitment to public service; 

7 (2) acknowledges the legacy of leadership pro8 vided by White House Fellows over the years in 

9 their local communities, the United States, and the 

10 world; and 

11 (3) expresses appreciation and support for the 

12 continuing leadership of White House Fellows in all 
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1 aspects of the national life of the United States in 

2 the years ahead. 

Passed the Senate October 6, 2015. 

Attest: 

Secretary. 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 22 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the White 

House Fellows program.