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 on April 20, 1931, is an American politician and lawyer from Indiana. He served for many years in the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress. After leaving Congress, he became a key member of important government groups, including the 9/11 Commission. He was also part of the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council, which helps keep the country safe.
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Early Life and Education
Lee Hamilton grew up in Evansville, Indiana, after being born in Daytona Beach, Florida. He went to public schools and finished high school in 1948. He was a talented basketball player and even led his high school team to the state championship game.
After high school, he continued playing basketball at DePauw University, where he graduated in 1952. He then went on to study law at Indiana University, finishing in 1956. For the next ten years, he worked as a lawyer in Columbus, Indiana.
Serving in Congress
Lee Hamilton was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1964 as a Democrat. He became known for his work on important committees. He led the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which deals with how the U.S. interacts with other countries. He also chaired the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees U.S. intelligence agencies.
During his time in Congress, he led a special committee that looked into certain government actions involving arms transactions. He focused on finding facts and making sure the country moved forward. He also chaired another task force in 1992.
Hamilton served in Congress until 1999, making him one of the longest-serving members from his original group elected in 1965. People often thought he might become a vice-presidential candidate because of his strong knowledge of foreign policy.
Life After Congress
After leaving Congress, Lee Hamilton continued to serve the country in many important ways.
Leading the 9/11 Commission
In 2002, President George W. Bush chose Hamilton to be the vice-chairman of the 9/11 Commission. This group was officially called "The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States." Its job was to investigate the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and suggest ways to prevent future ones.
The Iraq Study Group
In 2006, Congress formed the Iraq Study Group. Lee Hamilton was chosen to be a co-chairman of this group, working alongside former Secretary of State James A. Baker III. This group studied the situation in Iraq and offered advice on how to improve it. Hamilton was known as a skilled negotiator, which helped the group in its work.
Other Important Roles
Mr. Hamilton has been part of many other advisory groups. He advised the CIA and the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council. He also worked with the United States Army. He helped lead the Partnership for a Secure America, an organization that encourages different political parties to work together on national security.
From 2010 to 2012, he co-chaired the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future. This group looked at important issues about nuclear energy and waste. He also served on the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, which helped create the United Nations policy called "Responsibility to Protect."
In 2004, Hamilton wrote a book called "How Congress Works and Why You Should Care." In this book, he explained how Congress operates and why it's important for everyday Americans. He also shared his ideas for making Congress better.
In 2011, he wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, asking him to reduce the sentence of Jonathan Pollard. Hamilton believed Pollard had served a very long sentence and that it was a matter of compassion and justice. Pollard was later released in 2015.
Lee Hamilton's wife, Nancy, passed away in 2012. She was a talented artist and also volunteered many hours at a hospital.
Honors and Awards
Lee Hamilton has received many honors for his long career of public service.
Highway and Basketball Hall of Fame
A nine-mile stretch of highway in Indiana, part of his former congressional district, was named the "Lee H. Hamilton Highway" in 1999.
In 1982, he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. This honored his amazing high school basketball career, where he led his team to several deep runs in the state tournament. He was even chosen as an All-State player.
Public Service Awards
- In 2001, he received the Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award.
- In 2005, he won the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official.
- In 2011, he received the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Advancing American Democracy Award.
- In November 2015, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
University Recognition
In 2018, Indiana University Bloomington renamed its School of Global and International Studies to the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. This honored both Lee Hamilton and former U.S. Senator Richard Lugar for their important work in foreign policy.
