J. William Fulbright
J. William Fulbright
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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J. William Fulbright was born on April 9, 1905, in Sumner County, Missouri. His full name is James William Fulbright.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: April 9, 1905
Died: February 9, 1995
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Fulbright was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Arkansas from 1945 to 1975.
Early Life and Background
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Born into a family of modest means, Fulbright grew up in the Ozark Mountains region of Missouri. His father, Robert Clark Fulbright, was a farmer and schoolteacher. J. William Fulbright's mother, Sallie Elizabeth (née Wallace), was a homemaker. The family moved to Arkansas when Fulbright was 14 years old.
Fulbright attended high school in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he developed an interest in politics and public service. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1925 and later earned his law degree from George Washington University in 1934.
Major Accomplishments
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During his time as a U.S. Senator, Fulbright played a key role in shaping American foreign policy. Some of his most notable accomplishments include:
Authoring the Fulbright Act: In 1946, Fulbright sponsored legislation that created the Fulbright Program, which provides scholarships for students to study abroad.
Chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: From 1959 to 1975, Fulbright served as chairman of the committee, guiding U.S. foreign policy during a critical period in world history.
Notable Works or Actions
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Fulbright's commitment to public service and education was evident throughout his career. Some notable works and actions include:
Writing "Old Myths and New Realities": In 1964, Fulbright published this influential book, which criticized the United States' interventionist foreign policy.
Leading Congressional opposition to the Vietnam War: During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Fulbright became a vocal critic of U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Impact and Legacy
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J. William Fulbright's impact on American politics and society is undeniable. His commitment to public service, education, and critical thinking has inspired generations of policymakers and scholars.
Fulbright's legacy extends beyond his own lifetime. The Fulbright Program, which he founded, continues to provide opportunities for students from around the world to engage in international exchange. This program has helped shape global perspectives and foster greater understanding among nations.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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J. William Fulbright is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking insights on politics, foreign policy, and education. His quotes often emphasize the importance of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and public service.
Quotes by J. William Fulbright
J. William Fulbright's insights on:
I do not question the power of our weapons and the efficiency of our logistics; I cannot say these things delight me as they seem to delight some of our officials, but they are certainly impressive.
The junior senator from Wisconsin, by his reckless charges, has so preyed upon the fears and hatreds and prejudices of the American people that he has started a prairie fire which neither he nor anyone else may be able to control.
When public men indulge themselves in abuse, when they deny others a fair trial, when they resort to innuendo and insinuation, to libel, scandal, and suspicion, then our democratic society is outraged, and democracy is baffled.
We have the power to do any damn fool thing we want to do, and we seem to do it about every 10 minutes.
Once imbued with the idea of a mission, a great nation easily assumes that it has the means as well as the duty to do God’s work.
This is regrettable indeed for a nation that aspires to teach democracy to other nations, because, as Burke said: “Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.”
A nation’s budget is full of moral implications; it tells what a society cares about and what it does not care about; it tells what its values are.
I’m sure that President Johnson would never have pursued the war in Vietnam if he’d ever had a Fulbright to Japan, or say Bangkok, or had any feeling for what these people are like and why they acted the way they did. He was completely ignorant.
The exchange program is the thing that reconciles me to all the difficulties of political life. It’s the only activity that gives me some hope that the human race won’t commit suicide, though I still wouldn’t count on it.
I do not think it is “selling America short” when we ask a great deal of her; on the contrary, it is those who ask nothing, those who see no fault, who are really selling America short!