Former Congressman Joe Sestak to present 'Leadership to Restore the American Dream'

Joseph Sestak, former congressman and a former U.S. Navy three-star admiral, the Gen. Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership, will present “Leadership to Restore the American Dream,” November 4 at 6 p.m.

"We once had leaders who recognized the expectations of the people, and turned them into demands that advanced the American Dream for both individual opportunity and the common good of the nation. Leadership must once again be accountable for brokering the shared alliance that deepens the individual strengths of these two great values of our American character so that we can restore the dream," Sestak said.

His presentation will draw on his distinguished 31-year career in the U.S. Navy and his tenure as director for defense policy on the National Security Council, the first director of “Deep Blue,” the U.S. Navy's counterterrorism unit, a sea-going Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group in war, and a U.S. Congressman representing Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.

Sestak plans to discuss the American Dream, the belief that one's children will have the opportunity to do even better than their parents. "It was a unique alliance of rugged individualism and our collective response to challenges that created an unparalleled environment in America for this opportunity," he said. He will address what is missing in today's leadership which he identifies as a willingness to be accountable for this special character of America.

Sestak is the recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal. He holds a doctorate in political economy and government from Harvard University.

Sestak is the 2013-2014 Gen. Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership, a faculty appointment shared among Penn State Law, Penn State School of International Affairs, Dickinson College, and the U.S. Army War College, all sponsors of this event. Its objective is to advance the study of strategic leadership and enhance civilian-military dialog by offering distinguished individuals the opportunity to contribute to the educational and research activities of the partner institutions.

This event will be held in the Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium in Lewis Katz Hall, 333 W. South St., Carlisle, Pa., simulcast to the Greg Sutliff Auditorium, Lewis Katz Building in University Park, Pa., and offered via live webcast.