Lee Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lee Hamilton
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Official portrait, 9/11 commission
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| Vice Chair of the 9/11 Commission | |
| In office December 11, 2002 – August 21, 2004 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | George J. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Commission dissolved |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 9th district |
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| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Earl Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Baron Hill |
| Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Dante Fascell |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Gilman |
| Chair of the House Intelligence Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Boland |
| Succeeded by | Louis Stokes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 20, 1931 Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Nancy Nelson
(m. 1954; |
| Education | DePauw University (BA) Indiana University (JD) |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom |
Lee Herbert Hamilton (born April 20, 1931) is an American politician and lawyer from Indiana. He served for many years in the United States House of Representatives. This is where laws are made for the country.
He was also a member of the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council. Lee Hamilton is part of the Democratic Party. He represented the 9th congressional district of Indiana from 1965 to 1999. After leaving Congress, he worked on many government groups. One of his most important roles was as the vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission.
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Early Life and Education
Lee Hamilton was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. He grew up in Evansville, Indiana. He went to public schools there. He graduated from Evansville Central High School in 1948.
He was a great basketball player. He led his high school team to the state championship game in 1948. He continued playing basketball at DePauw University. He graduated from DePauw in 1952. Later, he earned a law degree from Indiana University in 1956. For the next ten years, he worked as a lawyer in Columbus, Indiana.
Serving in Congress
Lee Hamilton was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1964. He was a Democrat. During his time in Congress, he led many important committees. These included the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He also chaired the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
He stayed in Congress until 1999. He was known for his knowledge of foreign policy. People thought he might even become a vice-presidential candidate.
Life After Congress
After leaving Congress, Lee Hamilton continued to serve the country. In 2002, President George W. Bush chose him for a big job. He became the vice-chairman of the 9/11 Commission. This group investigated the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In 2006, he helped form the Iraq Study Group. He was a co-chairman of this group. It looked at the situation in Iraq. He worked with former Secretary of State James A. Baker III. Both were known for being skilled negotiators.
Mr. Hamilton has served on many other important groups. These include advisory boards for the CIA. He also advised the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council. He is a co-chair for the Partnership for a Secure America. This group works to bring people together on national security issues.
He also wrote a book in 2004. It is called "How Congress Works and Why You Should Care." The book explains how Congress works. It also shares his ideas for making it better.
In 2012, his wife, Nancy, passed away. She was an artist. She also spent many hours helping at a hospital.
Lee Hamilton supported Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. He continues to work on important issues. He is an honorary co-chair for the World Justice Project. This group works to make sure laws are fair around the world.
Honors and Awards
Lee Hamilton has received many awards for his public service.
Highway Named After Him
A nine-mile part of I-265 in Indiana was named the "Lee H. Hamilton Highway." This happened shortly after he left Congress in 1999.
Basketball Hall of Fame
In 1982, Lee Hamilton was honored for his basketball skills. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He led his high school team to great success. They reached the state semi-finals in 1946. They made the state quarter-finals in 1947. In his senior year, they played in the championship game. He was named All-State that year.
Other Recognitions
- In 2001, he received the Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award. This award recognizes his work in foreign policy.
- In 2005, he won the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award. This award is for great public service by an official.
- In 2011, he received the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Advancing American Democracy Award.
- In November 2015, President Barack Obama gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
- In 2018, Indiana University Bloomington renamed one of its schools. It is now the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. This honors Lee Hamilton and former Senator Richard Lugar.
