p. 8 White House PH Greenspan

[ Dr. Alan Greenspan with former President Gerald R. Ford | Photo courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library ]

In the summer of 2003, the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation established a new Medal for Distinguished Public Service to recognize individuals who have served the public good in the private and public sectors. Dr. Alan Greenspan was selected as the first recipient of the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

“The criteria for the award are the qualities that President Gerald R. Ford demonstrated in his public service: strength of character, diligence, decisiveness, sound judgement, and integrity,” said Martin J. Allen, Jr., Chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. “All of these qualities have characterized Chairman Greenspan’s career.”

In making the award President Ford observed “Alan exemplifies what public service is all about. He left a very successful private venture to join my administration, beginning a long and distinguished career of public service.”

Chairman Greenspan left his consulting firm, Townsend-Greenspan & Co., to serve President Ford from 1974 to 1977 as chairman of his COuncil of Economic Advisers. He took office as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in 1987 and has served in that capacity during the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Greenspan’s other awards include the Thomas Jefferson Award for the greatest public service performed by an elected or appointed official, presented by the American Institute for Public Service, (joint recipient with Dr. Arthur Burns and William Simon); decorated Legion of Honor (Commander) France; and honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire.

The Foundation extends its thanks to Peter Secchia for underwriting the expense in launching the new medal.

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