[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 36 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2391-S2392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BENJAMIN H. HARDY, JR.

  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I am honored to rise this morning to 
pay tribute to a distinguished American and a great Georgia visionary. 
50 years ago, Benjamin H. Hardy, Jr., was one of the primary architects 
of a new foreign policy initiative that became known as President 
Truman's ``Point Four,'' a program of technical assistance to help the 
people of developing nations. This bold and revolutionary program 
became an important tenant of American foreign policy, helping people 
around the world improve their lives.
  Mr. Hardy was a distinguished student at the University of Georgia, 
graduating with a BA in journalism in 1928. After graduation, he worked 
as a journalist and later as a public affairs officer for the 
Departments of Defense and State. His service at the Department of 
State required him to draft the foreign policy portion of President 
Truman's 1949 inaugural address. The address cited four basic points of 
American foreign policy: (1) Support for the United Nations; (2) 
continuation of the Marshall Plan; (3) military cooperation with 
Western allies; and (4) a ``bold new program'' of technical assistance 
to people in developing nations. This last point was based on what Mr. 
Hardy had seen of the economic needs in South America during World War 
II. According to some accounts, he included it in the draft of 
President Truman's speech at considerable risk to his own career.

[[Page S2392]]

  But it was the last concept, point four, which received widespread 
acclaim and that, in time, became a major component of American foreign 
policy. In 1950, this ``Point Four'' policy was approved by Congress in 
the form of a mandate to create the Technical Cooperation 
Administration (TCA) within the State Department. It was this ``bold 
new program'' drafted by Mr. Hardy that later developed into the Agency 
for International Development and which, perhaps, was the seed for the 
establishment of the Peace Corps. These were truly forward-looking 
concepts.
  During this period, Mr. Hardy served as the chief of public affairs 
for the TCA and the chairman of its policy planning council. 
Tragically, on December 23, 1951, Mr. Hardy, along with the Director of 
the TCA, was killed in a plane crash on a flight from Cairo to Teheran. 
It is a shame that Benjamin Hardy did not have the opportunity to see 
his concept take root and grow as he would have had it.
  Fifty years after Mr. Hardy drafted the Point Four speech, it is 
fitting that we in Congress pay tribute to the vision and courage of 
this man, his contribution to American foreign policy, and his 
commitment to improving the lives of people around the world. Ideas 
like Benjamin Hardy's have helped demonstrate the generosity of the 
American people around the world. And it is such ideas that have helped 
America remain engaged as the world's leader, helping to build a better 
future for all people. Mr. President, it is my honor to recognize this 
distinguished American from Georgia and to inform my colleagues of his 
proud heritage. Thank you.

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