Institute’s 10th Annual Jefferson-Lincoln Event Volume 11, No. 2 Honors Journalists for Responsible Reporting Year End, 2009 s she introduced the honorees constructive compromise for the good of the at the Panetta Institute’s country. The decision this year to honor TV Inside: “Evening to Honor Lives of journalists rather than politicians was intended • Special Training for Public Service” on November to encourage a more informed and civil level A Student Leaders 7, Institute director Sylvia Panetta recalled the of discourse on the nation’s airwaves. words of Abraham Lincoln: “Let the people • Reading Program Held at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble know the facts and the country will be safe.” Rewards Achievement Beach, the gala dinner again featured the It was an apt reminder as this year’s Jefferson- delectable offerings of some of the area’s best • Board Members Lincoln Awards dinner departed somewhat from chefs, and Mrs. Panetta voiced special thanks Provide Key Support tradition to salute three journalists for their and praise for executive chef Bert Cutino, • Montez and Wilson dedication to balanced, fact-based reporting. who has served as the dinner’s chairman for Build Our Success the past ten years. “His leadership, his passion At a time when many in their profession for cooking and his love for this community,” indulge in sensationalism and partisan bias, she said, “bring together all the elements that Mrs. Panetta noted, this year’s award recipients make this gala a success.” share Lincoln’s view that an informed electorate is essential to a functioning democracy and have steadily adhered to high standards of objectivity in their work. The winners of this year’s awards were former CNN Washington anchor Bernard Shaw, chief foreign correspondent for NBC News Andrea Mitchell, and longtime PBS News- Hour anchor Jim Lehrer. “All three of these individuals have set an example for others in their profession and indeed for all citizens as we explore and debate the crucial issues of our time,” says Mrs. Panetta. The Institute launched its Jefferson-Lincoln Awards ten years ago to honor political leaders Institute director Sylvia Panetta welcomes PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer, who reach across party lines and seek NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell and former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw. 2 Panetta Institute update

Monterey County Reads Rewards Youngsters With Achievement Certificates and Books he Monterey County Reads program is At the end of each semester in participating Tnow in its thirteenth year under the schools, students in early elementary grades direction of the Panetta Institute, and its who have been helped by the program attend success can be seen in the smiles of hundreds an awards ceremony where they receive a of children as they receive special recognition certificate of achievement and also, thanks to for their improvement as readers. a generous grant from Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network, a new book which they can keep. “The pride and excitement in the eyes of these kids is a joy to behold,” says Institute director Sylvia Panetta, who has spearheaded the program. Since 1997, Monterey County Reads has helped thousands of area children improve their reading skills and their chances for a better future. Working with the Monterey County Office of Education, along with area colleges, busi- nesses, military installations, faith groups and community organizations, the Institute recruits and trains volunteers and places them in local elementary schools, where they work with individual children who are having trouble with their reading.

At the end of each semester, the reading program recognizes the progress More volunteers are needed. To learn how of participating children through special award ceremonies in their schools. you can help, call 831-582-4200.

Institute Board Members Provide Vital Support he Panetta Institute relies on the support raising funds, they participate directly in Tof hundreds of volunteers and setting Institute policy and determining contributors, and at the heart of this effort program direction. is our dedicated Board of Directors. Along with Mrs. Panetta, the board includes “A seat on our board isn’t just an honorary Robert V. Antle, Ted J. Balestreri, David J. position,” notes Institute director Sylvia Panetta. Benjamin, Catherine C. Brock, Donald D. “These members work hard and give generously Chapin, Jr., Roger W. Coleman, George W. to make this organization a success.” Couch, III, Lorri A. Koster, Mary F. Orradre and Rhonda A. Williams. All board members are highly respected leaders in their communities and bring very “We’re deeply grateful to these good citizens valuable experience in business, philanthropy for their time, talent and resources,” says and other areas. In addition to donating and Mrs. Panetta. update Panetta Institute 3

Students Praise “Life Changing” Experience As Institute Challenges Their Leadership Skills he students from across California who Tgathered at the Panetta Institute in June for our annual leadership seminar had already made a mark as campus leaders. In fact, most were student body presidents. But in an intensive week-long training course with high achievers from the worlds of politics, the military, community service and even professional sports, the students were challenged to stretch their thinking and take their skills to a whole new level. And as in the past, the young participants, representing all twenty-three CSU campuses plus Santa Clara and Dominican universities, were effusive in their praise, calling the Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards joined political, military experience “wonderful” and “life changing.” and other leaders in challenging students always to lead by example. Under the guidance of Sylvia Panetta and Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Institute professor Richard Kezirian, the Edwards, on the other hand, gave the students students plunged eagerly into direct exchanges a look at what it takes to turn top athletes with with a series of distinguished guests who have outsized egos into a successful team. shown an ability to perform under pressure and Among our many other outstanding speakers “It was a achieve difficult goals while maintaining their were Col. Dan Devlin, U.S. Army (Ret.) on personal integrity. wonderful leadership in the military; former California Former San Jose congressman Norm Mineta, Secretary of State Bruce McPherson on how experience. who led the U.S. Transportation Department to lead in a democracy; local school district I learned as it rebounded from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, trustee Helen Rucker on leading at the spoke movingly of the perseverance he learned community level; Father Michael Russo of so much!” from his parents during the family’s confine- St. Mary’s College on the ethics of leadership; ment in a Japanese-American internment and State Senator Abel Maldonado on what Natalie Franklin camp during World War II. it takes to build a consensus. San Francisco State

Student government officers from twenty-three CSU campuses, plus Santa Clara and Dominican universities, engaged in lively exchanges with high-profile leaders, and each other, aimed at improving their ability to bring people together to solve problems. The Panetta Institute for Public Policy Presort Std 100 Campus Center, Building 86E U.S. Postage PAID CSU Monterey Bay SALINAS, CA Seaside, CA 93955 PERMIT 164 Learn more about us at PanettaInstitute.org

Montez and Wilson Make Institute Shine eople often marvel at how professionally Pthe Panetta Institute presents its programs and manages its operations. Two who deserve much of the credit for this are Carisa Montez and Ellen Wilson. Program Coordinator. Montez arrived at the Institute in 2000 as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, at a time when that organization was Please Help helping us build the children’s literacy program The Panetta Institute seeks that became Monterey County Reads. Her to inspire people to lives of energy and commitment immediately caught public service and helps the eye of Institute founders Leon and Sylvia them develop the skills Panetta, and within a year she was the Staff members Ellen Wilson and Carisa Montez have helped build the Institute’s reputation they’ll need to meet the program’s VISTA supervisor. for professionalism and effectiveness. challenges of the future. Since 2006, the University of Hawaii graduate Please help us continue this previous thirty years of public service, which has been serving as the Institute’s overall mission with your tax- would become the Leon E. Panetta Archive. program coordinator, drawing praise from the deductible contribution. wide array of scholars, public servants and Wilson serves as the Institute’s archivist, community leaders she has ably assisted. maintaining and supervising the Panetta collection, and as assistant program “At the eye of the storm here,” says Sylvia coordinator. When Mr. Panetta was with the Panetta, “Carisa is our calm and steady force.” Institute, she often provided research in Archivist and More. Ellen Wilson also arrived support of his speaking engagements. Today young at the Institute, although the Scripps she supervises our Law School Research College honors graduate already had garnered Fellows program and also handles grant considerable experience in her chosen field writing, website development and a variety while a student, heading up archival efforts for of other duties. small libraries and local history collections. “Ellen is a model of what makes us a success,” Her first job out of college was to assist Leon says Mrs. Panetta. “Reach out to help Panetta with the organization of the wherever you’re needed, sweat the details and voluminous letters and papers from his get the job done.”

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