German Marshall Fund Honors Senator Richard Lugar’s Commitment to Transatlantic Relations

The German Marshall Fund of the United States notes with sadness the passing of Senator Richard Lugar. Leadership in promoting transatlantic cooperation was a hallmark of Senator Lugar’s long legislative career.

“Senator Lugar was known throughout the foreign policy community on both sides of the Atlantic as a stalwart advocate for our shared values and institutions,” said GMF President Karen Donfried. “His deep commitment to strong transatlantic relations never wavered.  He was a wonderful friend to our European allies and to GMF.”

Senator Lugar served as a senior transatlantic fellow at GMF after leaving the Senate in 2013 and inspired GMF’s work to improve communication and understanding between the Washington diplomatic corps and Congress. This mission continues today in GMF’s congressional relations work, building bridges between American legislators and the European diplomatic and policy communities.

Lugar twice served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Among his many legislative accomplishments, perhaps the most noteworthy was the Nunn-Lugar Act to secure and dismantle weapons of mass destruction.