Togo D. West Jr., Former Secretary of the Army and Veterans Affairs, named 2004 National Pledge Class Namesake
On July 18, 2004, the National Board of Directors of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity selected Togo D. West, Jr., an alum of Zeta Phi Chapter at Howard University and former Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as the 2004 National Pledge Class Namesake.
(Text of Official Release posted by Alpha Phi Omega, August 24, 2004)
Togo Dennis West, Jr., returned to Covington & Burling, of counsel, in July 2000 after completing his most recent tenure as a senior official in three presidential administrations. His practice includes issues of corporate responsibility, government contracts, government relations, national and homeland security, counseling and assistance to defense-related industries, and general litigation matters.
Mr. West served in President Clinton's Cabinet as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and as Secretary of the Army. While Secretary of the Army, he also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Commission, a Presidentially appointed body with a binational board confirmed by the Senate, which was responsible for the policies and operation of the Panama Canal. In the Administration of President Jimmy Carter, he was General Counsel of the Department of Defense; the Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense; and General Counsel of the Navy. He served as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the U. S. Department of Justice in the Administration of President Gerald R. Ford.
Secretary West practiced law with Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1976 to 1977. In 1981, after a period of government service, he joined the New York law firm of Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler as managing partner of its Washington office. In 1990, he became Senior Vice President for Government Relations of the Northrop Corporation, and served until his appointment as Secretary of the Army.
He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Washington Hospital Center, and President of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council; The Atlantic Council; and the Council of Trustees of the Association of the United States Army. Prior to his most recent government service, he served on the Board of Trustees of The Aerospace Corporation; the Institute for Defense Analysis; and, the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He has served as a member of the Defense Policy Board, which advises the Secretary of Defense on issues affecting national security.
Secretary West served as Commissioner, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the District of Columbia Law Revision Commission. He has served as Chairman of the District of Columbia's Committee on Public Education (COPE) and was a member of the Commission on Budget and Financial Priorities of the District of Columbia (The Rivlin Commission). He has served as a member of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions; the Legal Ethics Committee of the District of Columbia Bar, twice as its Vice Chair; and the Bar's Special Committee on Model Rules of Professional Conduct. He has been a member of the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest School of Law, and the adjunct faculty of the Duke University School of Law.
Secretary West was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery Corps upon graduation from college. He served on active military duty in the Army's Judge Advocate General Corps. For his military service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. For his public service, he has received decorations for distinguished service from the Departments of Defense, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Veterans Affairs. He was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Federal Republic of Brazil. He holds honorary doctorates from two American universities. An Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm, he has been honored as Distinguished Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America and he has received their Silver Buffalo Award for his national contributions to America's youth.
Secretary West with his wife and Howard classmate, GailSecretary West received the bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Howard University in 1965, and in 1968, the Juris Doctor from the same university, where he was Managing Editor of the Howard Law Journal, graduating cum laude and first in his class. He served as law clerk to Judge Harold R. Tyler, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Secretary West is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia and New York, and of various Federal District and Appellate Courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court. He is a frequent commentator on National and Homeland Security issues on cable and network news programs and in other national media.
Mr. West served in President Clinton's Cabinet as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and as Secretary of the Army. While Secretary of the Army, he also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Commission, a Presidentially appointed body with a binational board confirmed by the Senate, which was responsible for the policies and operation of the Panama Canal. In the Administration of President Jimmy Carter, he was General Counsel of the Department of Defense; the Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense; and General Counsel of the Navy. He served as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the U. S. Department of Justice in the Administration of President Gerald R. Ford.
Secretary West practiced law with Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1976 to 1977. In 1981, after a period of government service, he joined the New York law firm of Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler as managing partner of its Washington office. In 1990, he became Senior Vice President for Government Relations of the Northrop Corporation, and served until his appointment as Secretary of the Army.
He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Washington Hospital Center, and President of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council; The Atlantic Council; and the Council of Trustees of the Association of the United States Army. Prior to his most recent government service, he served on the Board of Trustees of The Aerospace Corporation; the Institute for Defense Analysis; and, the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He has served as a member of the Defense Policy Board, which advises the Secretary of Defense on issues affecting national security.
Secretary West served as Commissioner, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the District of Columbia Law Revision Commission. He has served as Chairman of the District of Columbia's Committee on Public Education (COPE) and was a member of the Commission on Budget and Financial Priorities of the District of Columbia (The Rivlin Commission). He has served as a member of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions; the Legal Ethics Committee of the District of Columbia Bar, twice as its Vice Chair; and the Bar's Special Committee on Model Rules of Professional Conduct. He has been a member of the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest School of Law, and the adjunct faculty of the Duke University School of Law.
Secretary West was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery Corps upon graduation from college. He served on active military duty in the Army's Judge Advocate General Corps. For his military service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. For his public service, he has received decorations for distinguished service from the Departments of Defense, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Veterans Affairs. He was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Federal Republic of Brazil. He holds honorary doctorates from two American universities. An Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm, he has been honored as Distinguished Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America and he has received their Silver Buffalo Award for his national contributions to America's youth.
Secretary West with his wife and Howard classmate, GailSecretary West received the bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Howard University in 1965, and in 1968, the Juris Doctor from the same university, where he was Managing Editor of the Howard Law Journal, graduating cum laude and first in his class. He served as law clerk to Judge Harold R. Tyler, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Secretary West is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia and New York, and of various Federal District and Appellate Courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court. He is a frequent commentator on National and Homeland Security issues on cable and network news programs and in other national media.
Secretary West with his wife, Gail
By tradition, the Fall Pledge Class Namesake Honoree challenges the Fall Pledge Class.
“I urge this year’s Pledges to complete literacy and mentoring focused service projects to help public school students. Specifically, service projects with pre-high school students who are reading below grade level. After-school and classroom volunteer programs need your help. The young men and women of Alpha Phi Omega are wonderful people who can set positive examples for youngsters struggling in school. As college students, you have made it in their eyes and you are important role models for them. Your service sends a powerful message about the importance of literacy and the value of an education. There is no surer way to be of service to your community and your nation than helping a young person realize his or her potential.”
posted by Golden Eagle @ Thursday, August 26, 2004
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