School News
President names Cornyn to board of a national foundation
By media release
Mar 16, 2006

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation Board will allow Cornyn to help teachers, students reach new heights 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has been selected by President Bush to serve on the board of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, the White House announced Monday. The Foundation provides fellowships to support graduate study for aspiring and experienced secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and social studies. 

“I’m honored that the President has selected me to serve on this board that helps carry on our founding traditions,” Cornyn said. “It will provide me with another forum to help teachers and young people achieve new opportunities and to promote education regarding our nation’s founding freedoms.” 

Sen. Cornyn, who chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Constitution subcommittee in the last Congress, was nominated by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) for the appointment. 

The James Madison Fellowship is intended to recognize promising and distinguished teachers, to strengthen their knowledge of the origins and development of American constitutional government, and thus to expose the nation’s secondary school students to accurate knowledge of the nation’s constitutional heritage. The award funds up to $24,000 of each Fellow’s course of study towards a master’s degree.  

“It’s important that young people today have a knowledge and appreciation of our Constitution,” Cornyn said. “For more than 200 years, Americans have revered the wisdom and foresight of our nation’s founding documents, and the James Madison Foundation is a key way to help continue that proud tradition. Knowledge of the Constitution ensures that America will always be a nation of laws.”  

To apply for the James Madison Fellowships, one must qualify for graduate admission at an accredited U.S. university that offers a qualifying master’s degree program. Applicants must be committed to teaching American history, American government, and/or social studies full time in grades 7—12. Recipients are required to teach American history or social studies in a secondary school for at least one year for each year of fellowship support.  

The James Madison Foundation, established by Congress in 1986, is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the federal government. The Board consists of thirteen members: two from the Senate, two from the House of Representatives, two members of the federal judiciary, one governor, two members of the general public, and three members from the academic community. The Secretary of Education serves as an ex-officio member. With the exception of the federal judges and the Secretary of Education, the board is evenly divided between political parties. 

For additional information about the James Madison Foundation: www.jamesmadison.com.