The Strauss Center welcomed distinguished guests, speakers, and Fellows to Fort Worth, Texas to take part in the inaugural Assembly of the Next Generation Project Texas on October 21, 2011.  This first Assembly of Fellows focused on the pressing issues of energy, the environment, and U.S. global policy.  This Project was made possible by the generous support of Mr. I. Jon Brumley and Mrs. Rebecca Brumley of Fort Worth, Texas.

The agenda was full of high-ranking speakers including Mr. Richard Fisher, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Mr. David Mortimer, President of the American Assembly at Columbia University, Hon. Sharon Burke, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs, and Admiral Bobby R. Inman, Lyndon B. Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy.  Strauss Center Distinguished Scholars Dr. Josh Busby, Dr. Will Inboden, Dr. Varun Rai, and Dr. Kate Weaver served on the morning panel.  The panel presentation, speeches, and luncheon address offered background to stimulate the small group discussion sessions that took place in the morning and afternoon.

Fellows representing sectors such as the arts, non-profits, media, energy, and law were present to share their views on the Assembly's topic.  Lindsey Hughes, Associate Director of The Wind Coalition, said, "It is an incredible honor to be part of the Next Generation Project Texas".  A member of the national class of the Next Generation Project, Ms. De'Edra Williams brought her expertise on energy to the Assembly. She said, "I anticipate that the Next Generation Project Texas will achieve a myriad of objectives that were set forth in this first Texas Assembly and accomplish even greater things both in the near and distant future".

The Strauss Center will produce a report of the Assembly's proceedings and plans to conduct annual meetings of the group.

Small Group Discussion Session A

Small Group Discussion Session B

Bass Performance Hall Reception

To view more photos from the event, please visit the Strauss Center's flickr page.