Douglas Bereuter

Douglas Bereuter

"San Francisco, September 1, 2004 – Amidst increasingly complex security, economic, and political challenges in Asia, former U.S. Representative Douglas Bereuter began his tenure as president of The Asia Foundation today. Mr. Bereuter, a 25-year veteran of Congress and a long-time leader on the House International Relations Committee, stepped down from his congressional seat yesterday. He was elected as president by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in January 2004.

"“Asia is the world’s most dynamic region. Its stability and prosperity are now, more than ever, critical to U.S. interests of global peace, economic growth and security. Doug Bereuter brings precisely the right mix of qualifications: seasoned judgment, policy expertise, management acumen and well-developed rapport with key Asian and U.S. leaders that is required in today’s environment for The Asia Foundation to succeed,” said William L. Ball III, chairman of The Asia Foundation’s Board of Trustees...

"Mr. Bereuter, a fifth generation Nebraskan, had served in the U.S. Congress since 1979, representing the 1st Congressional District in Nebraska. Mr. Bereuter was a leading member of the House International Relations Committee for 20 years and served as its vice-chairman from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Bereuter served for many years on the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, including serving as its chairman from 1995 to 2000. He was also chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and president of the 40-country NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Bereuter was a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence from 1989 to 1994 and served again as its vice-chairman from 2001 to 2004. He was the founding co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China from 2001 to 2002 and remained a member until this year. Mr. Bereuter chaired the Speaker’s Task Force to Monitor and Report on the Transition of Hong Kong from 1996 to 2002. He was a member of the House Financial Services Committee for 23 years, and chaired its Multilateral Development Bank Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. Mr. Bereuter also served on the House International Relations Subcommittee on Economic Policy and Trade, and the House Select Committee on Hunger.

"Mr. Bereuter earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska and has masters’ degrees in both city planning and public administration from Harvard University. He is married to Louise Bereuter, who is also a native of Nebraska and has taught high school art in the public schools of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Arlington, Virginia. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.

"Mr. Bereuter succeeds Dr. William P. Fuller, who stepped down in April, 2004, after 15 years as president of the Foundation."


 * Panellist, Atlantic Partnership
 * 2000 Winner, Common Ground Awards
 * Trustee, Arbor Day Foundation
 * Advisory Council, Global Philanthropy Forum
 * Council Member, US Asia Pacific Council

Record and Controversies
Bereuter voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.