S.C. Rep. Jenny Horne selected for 2015 Aspen-Rodel Fellowship
September 2, 2015
SUMMERVILLE, SC – The Aspen Institute has announced the next group of Rodel Fellows, and South Carolina State Rep. Jenny Horne (R-Summerville), who gave a moving speech in July that helped lead to the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse grounds, is among the 24 members of the 2015 class.
The Rodel Fellowship is a highly selective public leadership program designed to bring together the top young rising stars of American political life in a program that fosters bipartisanship, political civility, and opportunities for contemplation of the great values of western democracy.
“It’s an honor to be among such a diverse, talented group of individuals from all over the country,” said Horne, who is also a Liberty Fellow graduate of 2011. “I’m looking forward to challenging myself, thinking critically and deeply about important issues facing our state and country, and reflecting with other leaders in a dialogue on the responsibilities of public leadership.”
The nearly 250 members of the fellowship include members of the President’s Cabinet, governors, members of Congress, mayors of many of America’s leading cities, statewide officials, and state legislators. Past Rodel fellows include former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.
Formed 10 years ago and directed by former Congressman Mickey Edwards, the selection process singles out leaders who have established reputations for intelligence, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to reach across partisan divisions in carrying out their public responsibilities.
“These men and women represent the very best among the new generation of America’s political leadership,” Edwards said in announcing the new class. “They have each won the notice and praise of their constituents and their colleagues and have shown a dedication to public service that is an encouraging sign in a time of great challenge. There are now some 200 Rodel Fellows, at all levels of government, working to ensure that Americans receive thoughtful and responsive leadership. We are very proud to have these outstanding leaders join their ranks.”
The Rodel Fellowship program is open by invitation only to men and women who are in publicly elected office and who are ideally between the ages of 25 and 50. Selected on an annual basis, each class consists of 24 Fellows, identified by the program’s leadership as America’s emerging political leaders with reputations for intellect, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to civil dialogue. The 24-month fellowship program consists of three weekend-long seminars, generally held in Aspen, Colorado.
The new Rodel class includes:
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas; Philadelphia City Councilwoman Cindy Bass; Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush; Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Kevin Cotter; Assistant Majority Whip of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Jon Echols; Minority Whip of the Montana House of Representatives, Jenny Eck; Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs; Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum;
Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea; Washington State Senator Andy Hill; South Carolina State Representative Jenny Horne; Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Walt Leger; Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner; Indiana State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell; California State Senator Janet Nguyen; Florida State Representative Jose Oliva;
Speaker Pro Tem of the Colorado House of Representatives, Dan Pabon; Speaker Pro Tem of the Oregon House of Representatives, Tobias Read; Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Dave Reed; Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes; Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf; Delaware State Representative Bryon Short, and Ohio State Representative Ryan Smith.
For more information on The Aspen Institute Rodel Fellowship program, visit AspenInstitute.org.
