[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 7 (Monday, January 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E4]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING DAVID AXELROD'S SERVICE AS DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF 
                 POLITICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 9, 2023

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I wish to honor the decade of 
dedicated and distinguished service that David Axelrod has provided to 
the University of Chicago as the Director of its Institute of Politics 
(IOP). Ten years ago, Mr. Axelrod founded the IOP with a mission to 
inspire, challenge, and train young people to play an active role in 
American civic life. In Mr. Axelrod's tenure as Director, the IOP has 
been exceptional in delivering upon its mission through the development 
of the Pritzker Fellows Program that brings established practitioners 
to IOP to conduct weekly seminars with students; a Career Development 
program that places more than 250 students each year in public service 
internships; a Speaker Series program that brings prominent leaders to 
campus for large-scale public events; and a Civic Engagement program 
that provides pathways for students to activate their interest in 
public service.
  Under Mr. Axelrod's energetic leadership, the IOP has become an 
integral part of the University of Chicago and raised the profile of 
both the university and region in the world of politics and public 
policy. As a nonpartisan institute, the IOP provides a space for 
thoughtful dialogue on contentious issues and has hosted leading 
academics, politicians, journalists, and activists from across the 
political spectrum. Yet, Mr. Axelrod's leadership is, perhaps, best 
illustrated by the countless students who have found candid guidance, 
thoughtful mentorship, and early career development opportunities at 
the IOP.
  What Mr. Axelrod has accomplished is exactly what people living in 
Illinois and beyond have come to expect from him. Since graduating from 
the University of Chicago, Mr. Axelrod himself never stopped being an 
active participant in American civic life. He got the ``bug'' for 
public service after seeing John F. Kennedy give a speech near his 
childhood home in New York City. As a young journalist at the Chicago 
Tribune, Mr. Axelrod covered city and state politics. After meeting 
Barack Obama at the University of Chicago, Mr. Axelrod became the Chief 
Strategist for the future president's successful come-from-behind U.S. 
Senate Campaign and both of President Obama's stellar presidential 
campaigns. As Senior Advisor to President Obama, Mr. Axelrod helped the 
President respond successfully to the 2008 financial crisis and usher 
through Congress the groundbreaking Affordable Care Act. It is not an 
exaggeration to say that Mr. Axelrod is one of the greatest political 
strategists of our time. Mr. Axelrod has utilized his vast experience 
and knowledge to develop the next generation of political leaders and 
public servants through the IOP, and his groundbreaking career serves 
as a guiding inspiration to the students and alumni of the university.
  While Mr. Axelrod's leadership will be missed, the IOP has selected a 
new director who also embodies the kind of dedicated public service the 
organization instills in students. Former U.S. Senator and incoming IOP 
Director Heidi Heitkamp's years in state and national politics will 
certainly add to the intellectual richness of the organization and 
build upon the foundations established by Mr. Axelrod. Mr. Speaker, I 
extend immense gratitude to Mr. Axelrod for his esteemed service and 
look forward to his legacy being carried forward by the rising leaders 
he has supported and inspired.

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