Event Marks the Debut of NYU’s Brademas Center for the Study of Congress

The John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and the Library of Congress announce the first annual Bernard and Irene Schwartz Lecture on Congress, to be held at the Library of Congress on Thursday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m.

The lecture, featuring Senators Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) and Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD), will explore the dynamic tension that exists between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government, and the push-and-pull that takes place in the policymaking arena. The senators will reflect on the current state of politics and discuss how the nation’s “First Branch” – the U.S. Congress – plays a critical role in shaping the nation’s domestic and foreign policies.

This lecture is the first in an annual series that will espouse the Center’s mission of bringing together current and former presidents, senators, representatives and other U.S. public officials of both parties; parliamentarians from other countries; journalists; and students and scholars to discuss the processes by which the Congress of the United States shapes policy, as well as important issues of national policy.

Opening remarks for the lecture will be presented by Dr. James H. Billington, librarian of Congress, and Dr. John Brademas, NYU President emeritus and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Norman Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and member of the Center’s Advisory Council, will moderate the question and answer portion of the event.

The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. will host this special invitation-only event. The lecture begins at 11:00 a.m. and concludes at 12:45 p.m.

This lecture on Congress has been made possible by a contribution by Bernard Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Loral Space & Communications, and his wife, Irene.


Established in 1938, the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service offers advanced programs leading to the professional degrees of Master of Public Administration, Master of Urban Planning, Master of Science in Management, and Doctor of Philosophy. Through these rigorous programs, NYU Wagner educates the future leaders of public, nonprofit, and health institutions as well as private organizations serving the public sector. http://wagner.nyu.edu.

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