Al Simpson to Talk on Iraq at UW Feb. 22

Feb. 15, 2007 -- Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, a member of the Iraq Study Group, will discuss the future of Iraq policy Thursday, Feb. 22, at the University of Wyoming.

His talk, "The Future of Iraq Policy: A Dialogue on the Politics of the Iraq Study Group," will be at 11:15 a.m. in the College of Education auditorium. It will be followed by a question and answer session moderated by Jean Garrison, associate professor in the Department of Political Science. The event is free and open to the public.

Simpson participated in the development of strategic options for Iraq. The Iraq Study Group was facilitated by the United States Institute of Peace at the urging of several members of Congress with White House agreement. The bipartisan group comprised 10 prominent Americans who were asked to conduct a forward-looking, independent assessment of the current and prospective situation on the ground in Iraq, its impact on the surrounding region, and consequences for U.S. interests, according to the USIP Web site.

The group examined four broad topics: the strategic environment in and around Iraq;
the security of Iraq and key challenges to enhancing security within the country;
political developments within Iraq following the elections and formation of the new government; and the economy and reconstruction. A final report, released Dec. 6, 2006, is available at www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206.

Membership on the Iraq Study Group is yet another addition to the former senator's distinguished career of public service. From 1979-1997 he was a U.S. senator from Wyoming, serving as assistant Republican leader and chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Prior to his service in national office, Simpson served in the Wyoming State House of Representatives.

Simpson received his undergraduate degree from UW in 1954 and his law degree from UW's College of Law in 1958.

The Milward Simpson Fund of the Department of Political Science and the College of Arts and Sciences sponsor the talk. The fund was created to honor Milward L. Simpson, a Wyoming native who served as Wyoming governor, U.S. senator, and president of the UW Board of Trustees.

The Simpson Lecture Series contributes to the political dialogue at the University of Wyoming through speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, ideologies, and disciplines who offer valuable insight into public affairs. Recent speakers have included Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, former U.S. senators George McGovern and Paul Simon, former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, former Director of Central Intelligence William Webster, former Wyoming governors Mike Sullivan and Jim Geringer, and ABC News correspondent Sam Donaldson.

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Current Events -- Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, a member of the Iraq Study Group, will discuss the future of Iraq policy Thursday, Feb. 22, at the University of Wyoming. (UW Photo)

Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007