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Ben Barnes was honored at a gala event held at the LBJ Library in November. Photo by Mark Rutkowski/University Photography Services |
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle was among the dignitaries who attended a gala dinner at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum in November to honor former Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes. The event was the culmination of a months-long drive to raise funds for an endowed fellowship program at the LBJ School in Barnes' name.
Spearheaded by George Christian, Lowell Lebermann, Bernard Rapoport, and Larry Temple, the fund campaign committee raised $1.25 million.
Lady Bird Johnson, who served as the committee's honorary chair, said, "Lyndon and I knew Ben when he was just beginning his career and his potential for leadership was apparent even then. It is my hope that these fellowships will enable other young leaders to pursue their goals at the LBJ School while developing the values and integrity we yearn for in today's society."
The Ben Barnes Fellowships program is part of a major initiative by the LBJ School to increase fellowship support for students. The fellowships will be used to recruit top students from across the nation who have a demonstrated interest in public leadership.
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Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle gave an address in the LBJ Auditorium prior to the Ben Barnes endowment dinner in November. In his remarks, Daschle described President Lyndon Johnson as a heroic figure for forging a consensus between Democrats and Republicans to pass important social legislation. He said current members of Congress must work together--and with the new president--to overcome partisan differences and "do the right thing" on issues such as education and health care. Photo by Mark Rutkowski/University Photography Services |
According to LBJ School Dean Ed Dorn, the endowment salutes Barnes' long-standing contributions to higher education in Texas. "Ben Barnes did more for education in Texas than virtually any other state political leader," he said. "This endowment recognizes his continuing commitment to producing the leaders our state will need in the 21st century."
It was during his first year at the UT School of Law that Barnes made the decision to enter politics. He organized an unconventional but successful campaign, and in 1960 was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. By 1965, while studying for finals, Barnes was named speaker of the House, and as the youngest speaker of the House in the nation, the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce honored him as one of five outstanding young men in the state. By the age of 30, he was elected as Texas' youngest lieutenant governor, and in 1970, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named him one of 10 outstanding young men in America.
During his political days, Barnes helped increase appropriations for higher education 300 percent and, with the late Governor John Connally, helped create the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Over the years, Barnes has been a major real estate developer in Texas, working with Herman Bennett and John Connally. As founder and principal of Entrecorp, he advises companies on government relations and capital acquisitions, and serves on the boards of several public companies.
In 1995, Barnes was named distinguished alumnus of UT Austin.
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May 14, 2001
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