For Immediate Release: June 10, 2008

REP. FREY APPOINTED TO PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION

WASHINGTON- President George W. Bush yesterday announced his intention to nominate State Rep. John H. Frey to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.
The non-partisan Commission is composed of approximately 30 citizens who represent a broad range of backgrounds, interests and professions. All Commission members are appointed by the President; many are former White House Fellows. Each year, the Commission selects a class of White House Fellows from as many as 1,000 applicants for the 11 to 19 fellowships, which offer exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government.
During selection weekend, the Commission interviews finalists at a location near Washington, D.C., where members interview, interact with and observe the national finalists. The Commission then recommends those individuals it finds most qualified for the fellowship to the President for appointment as White House Fellows. Rep. Frey will join fellow Commissioners June 11th-14th in Annapolis, MD to participate in this year’s selection process. Interviews are being conducted at the United States Naval Academy. The Commission meets twice annually.

Rep. Frey was one of 15 people nominated this week to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Also named from Connecticut is Ari Bousbib, President of Otis Elevator, a division of United Technologies.

Rep. John H. Frey said, “It is a truly an honor to be appointed by the President — to this ommission in particular. From its inception, the White House Fellows program has served our country well. The opportunity to see future leaders of America up close will be exciting. Having to select the finalists, after reviewing their applications, will be a daunting challenge. These are all truly inspiring and accomplished men and women.”
White House Fellows typically spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors, and trips to study policy in action both domestically and internationally.

The White House Fellowship was created as a non-partisan program. It has strictly maintained this tradition during both Republican and Democratic administrations and, through the cross-fertilization of ideas and experience, has enriched the practice of public policy for more than three decades.

The White House Fellows Program (www.whitehouse.gov/fellows/) was founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Following the Fellowship year, the Fellows repay the privilege by contributing to the country as better national leaders and public servants.

Since its inception, many former White House Fellows have made significant marks in various fields. Former Fellows of note include Doris Kearns Goodwin (1967 – 1968 Fellow), who became a Pulitzer Prize winning author, historian, and television commentator; Henry Cisneros (1971 – 1972 Fellow), who became mayor of San Antonio, Texas, and secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration; Colin Powell (1972 – 1973 Fellow), who became a general in the U.S. Army, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and secretary of state during the administration of George W. Bush; Wesley Clark (1975 – 1976 Fellow), who became a general in the U.S. Army and supreme allied commander, Europe; William Roper (1982 – 1983 Fellow), who became dean of the University of North Carolina School of Public Health and director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Elaine L. Chao (1983 – 1984 Fellow), who became president and chief executive officer of the United Way of America, director of the Peace Corps and current Secretary of Labor; and Paul Gigot (1986 – 1987 Fellow), who became a columnist and editor for the Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Frey, House Minority Whip, serves the 111th Assembly District of Ridgefield in the state House of Representatives. A Ridgefield resident since 1965, he is serving in his tenth year in office.