Lugar to Receive Fulbright Prize

Richard Lugar served in public office for all or part of six decades.

A former U.S. senator from Indiana will receive a prestigious award. Richard Lugar has been named the recipient of the J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding.

The Fulbright Association will present the award to Lugar during its annual conference Thursday afternoon in Washington. The prize, which was established in 1992, "honors significant lifetime achievements in international understanding, peace and security," according to the association.

"As a Rhodes Scholar at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, I first corresponded with Senator J. William Fulbright and was impressed with his encouragement of young Americans to prepare for leadership in the world," said Lugar. "I continued to discover throughout my public service the extraordinary leadership that Senator Fulbright gave as a visionary statesman over decades of remarkable service. It is an especial honor to receive this award that bears his name as I continue to look forward to each opportunity to encourage young people to pursue international study and cultural experiences in the quest for international understanding and peace."

Previous winners of the Fulbright Prize include Bill and Melinda Gates, Colin Powell, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Doctors Without Borders.