The Publius Award draws its name from those Founders—Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison—who authored the Federalist Papers in 1787-1788, under the collective pseudonym, Publius. These leaders came together from different schools of political thought for a higher purpose. Specifically, they sought to ensure ratification of the Constitution by asserting with prescience that a federal republic would best preserve the sovereignty of our new nation while safe-guarding the civil and political liberties that are the inalienable rights of every human.
Each year, the Center presents the Publius Award to one or more individuals who have demonstrated bi-partisan leadership at the Federal Level of government.
On Thursday, March 27, 2008, the Center presented the Publius Award to Senator John Warner of Virginia at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Senator Warner is the current Ranking Member and former Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. During the dinner, Senator Warner addressed the audience, including the 85 Presidential Fellows and leaders in the community.
Previous recipients of this recognition include:
Dr. David M. Abshire
The Honorable Max M. Kampelman
Supreme Court Justic Sandra Day O'Connor
The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge
Senator William H. Frist
Senator John Breaux
Senator Chuck Hagel
Secretary of the Treasury Robert A. Rubin
Senator Howard Baker
Senator John McCain
Senator Patrick Moynihan
Senator Richard Lugar
Vice President Al Gore
Senator Sam Nunn
Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV
Ambassador George Mitchell
The Honorable William Richardson
