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Fifth Annual Architect of the New Century Dinner

February 8, 2000

Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC

The Nixon Center’s fifth annual Architect of the New Century Dinner took place on Tuesday, February 8, 2000, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. This year, the Center honored Senator John Warner (R-VA) for his bipartisan leadership in shaping America’s national security policy.

Vance D. Coffman (pictured left), the Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, chaired the dinner.   Nixon Center Chairman Maurice R. Greenberg, Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation Chairman George L. Argyros, and Chairman/CEO of Archer Daniels Midland Company G. Allen Andreas served as co-chairs. 

John Warner is serving his fourth term in the United States Senate representing the State of Virginia.

After enlisting in the Navy at age 17, he graduated from Washington and Lee University and later from the University of Virginia Law School.  During the Korean War he enlisted in the United States Marines.

He served five years in the Department of Defense and was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Nixon.  In 1978 he was elected to the Senate and has been a distinguished member of several key committees including Environment and Public Works, Rules and Administration (former Chairman), Intelligence (former Vice Chairman), and was named Chairman of Armed Services in 1998.

Throughout his career, Senator Warner has exercised formidable leadership in the service of U.S. national interests.  The Nixon Center is proud to honor him as the recipient of its Fifth Annual Architect of the New Century Award.

The evening featured speeches by Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Charles Robb (D-VA). Julie Nixon Eisenhower and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison presented Senator Warner with the award (above right).  The dinner was attended by several military leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Henry Shelton (pictured shaking hands with Senator Warner).  Former Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger (pictured below with Center President Dimitri K. Simes) introduced Senator Warner.

Previous Architect of the New Century Dinner honorees have included Secretary of Defense William Cohen, Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) (jointly), Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew, and House Speaker Newt Gingrich.