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Kemp Institute Inaugural Conference Postponed Until Fall 2009

The inaugural conference and dinner of Pepperdine University's Jack F. Kemp Institute for Political Economy, originally scheduled for May 13 in Washington, D.C., is postponed until fall 2009.

Pepperdine and its School of Public Policy join many across the nation in mourning the May 2 passing of Jack Kemp, former congressman and U.S. cabinet secretary, a longtime friend of the University, and the institute's namesake. After consultation with the Kemp family, the invitation-only luncheon, panel discussions, and conference dinner at the Willard Hotel will be rescheduled. A new date and details will be announced in early summer.

A memorial service will be held for Kemp on Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. at Washington National Cathedral. The service is open to family,  friends, and former colleagues. For more information on the service, please visit the Cathedral's Web site.

An initiative of Pepperdine's School of Public Policy, the Jack F. Kemp Institute for Political Economy was launched in 2007. The institute honors Kemp's life of public service, perpetuates his contribution to American political thought, and helps educate the next generation of political leadership. Kemp was a founding member of the school's advisory committee and helped Pepperdine establish a robust archive of his papers as the first step in the institute's formation.

In addition to the Kemp archives spanning forty years of public service, the Kemp Institute will host annual conferences and lectures honoring and promoting the tenets of entrepreneurial capitalism, inner city economic zones of opportunity for minorities, and the pursuit of liberty around the world-all causes for which Kemp was widely known.

A key component of the Institute honoring Kemp's life and legacy will be a Jack F. Kemp Distinguished Professorship, which will be occupied by select scholars and public officials who capture in their work and writings the principles for which Kemp was so broadly respected.

"Believing that the ideas and ideals that have characterized Kemp's life are needed by the nation now more than ever," said Jim Wilburn, Pepperdine public policy dean, "the University looks forward to presenting a comprehensive Kemp Institute conference and dinner next fall as a fitting tribute to his life and influence."