Jennings Randolph

Jennings Randolph

"A staunch supporter of civil rights and author of the twenty-sixth amendment of the Constitution, which gave 18-year-olds the right to vote, Jennings Randolph (1902–98) was a vigorous advocate for the founding of the United States Institute of Peace. Randolph was elected to the House of Representatives from West Virginia in 1932 and he served seven terms in that body. In 1946 he introduced legislation to establish a Department of Peace, with the goal of strengthening America's capacity to resolve and manage international conflicts by both military and nonmilitary means.

"Randolph was elected to the Senate in 1958 and he continued working on educational programs designed to help build a more peaceful world. During this time, he played a key role in passage and enactment of the U.S. Institute of Peace Act in 1984. He retired from the Senate in 1985. As a tribute to his extraordinary legislative career and his work in establishing the Institute, the Jennings Randolph Program for International Peace was named in his honor. Awarding Senior Fellowships and Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowships, the Jennings Randolph program, since its founding, has enabled nearly 450 outstanding scholars, policymakers, journalists, and other professionals to conduct research on important issues concerning international conflict and peace." wiki

"During his last Senate term Randolph turned his attention to international affairs and pioneered some impressive programs to which his unique style of leadership and senior statesmanship were particularly well-suited. One initiative, a nonprofit and tax-exempt association called "Agri-Energy Roundtable" (AER), gained U.N. recognition and world acclaim through the Interparliamentary Union. Another effort, the U.S. Institute of Peace, was signed into law over heavy opposition of the Reagan Administration."

"Upon leaving the House of Representatives in 1947, Randolph became public relations director and assistant to the president at Capital Airlines (later purchased by United Airlines). In 1958, Randolph was returned to Congress, this time to serve as a member of the United States Senate.  He continued his work on behalf of aviation by sponsoring the Airport-Airways Development Act that created the Airport Trust Fund and was an active proponent in the expansion of the airport aid program.  As author of the Appalachian Regional Development Act, Randolph made certain that special provisions for the development of rural airports were included...

"In 1984, as chairman of the Agri-Energy Roundtable (AER), Randolph proposed the creation of a “travel pool” whereby airlines provided delegates from less developed countries with complimentary or discounted passage to international conferences.  In the following year, the United Nations accredited AER as a nongovernmental organization (NGO). Randolph  had blended his love for aviation with a practical way to further internationalize the Roundtable, thereby rising above the petty politics and squabbling of Washington – and resistance from traditional donors – to fashion AER as unique forum on the world stage."