WASHINGTON–Former Senator Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) has been named
co-chairman of the Concord Coalition, a nationwide, grassroots organization
dedicated to ending federal budget deficits and building a sound economy
for future generations.
The Concord Coalition was founded in 1992 by the late Paul Tsongas
(D-Mass.), former Senator Warren Rudman (R-N.H.), and former Secretary of
Commerce Pete Peterson. It now has nearly 200,000 members nationwide, and
grassroots chapters in every state.
WASHINGTON–Former Senator Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) has been named
co-chairman of the Concord Coalition, a nationwide, grassroots organization
dedicated to ending federal budget deficits and building a sound economy
for future generations.
The Concord Coalition was founded in 1992 by the late Paul Tsongas
(D-Mass.), former Senator Warren Rudman (R-N.H.), and former Secretary of
Commerce Pete Peterson. It now has nearly 200,000 members nationwide, and
grassroots chapters in every state.
Nunn, who served four terms as U.S. Senator from Georgia, comes to
the Coalition with a solid record on deficit reduction and entitlement
reform issues. Over the past two years, Nunn achieved the highest average
score (96%) of any Senator on Concord’s "Tough Choices" Deficit Reduction
Scorecard.
In 1991, Senator Nunn joined with Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) to
co-chair the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
"Strengthening of America Commission." The Commission analyzed America’s
short and long-term domestic economic challenges and developed a plan to
address them. Among the recommendations was a comprehensive proposal to
balance the budget by 2002, and a nationwide campaign to educate the public
about the need to get our fiscal house in order.
"Throughout his career in the U.S. Senate, Sam Nunn was at the
forefront of efforts to make our government more fiscally, and
generationally responsible," said Concord Co-Chair Warren Rudman. "We share
a deep-held belief that this country cannot continue much longer on its
present course without threatening its status as an economic superpower."
"I simply can think of no one who could fill the gaping hole that
was left by the death of Paul Tsongas as well as Sam Nunn," said Concord
President Pete Peterson. "Like Paul Tsongas, Sam Nunn treats American
voters like the grownups they are, has a clear understanding of the
economic challenges we face, and isn’t afraid to prescribe the tough
choices necessary to secure our future. Those are rare qualities indeed."
During a press conference this morning announcing the appointment
of the new co-chair, Rudman and Nunn challenged President Clinton and
Congress to come up with a balanced budget that will reach a zero deficit
by 2002, and prepare the economy for the retirement of the giant "baby
boom" generation."
"I am honored to be a part of this Coalition because I agree with
the positions it has taken and I agree with the future that it sees for
America," Nunn said during the press conference. "It is a very promising
future if we begin making changes now that will prepare us for the economic
challenges we face very early in the next century."
