PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Press Release

10 February 2005
U.S.-UK Fulbright Program Launches Alistair Cooke Award for Journalism

The U.S.-UK Fulbright Commission today announced the launch of a new award in journalism in memory of the late Alistair Cooke. The award, slated to begin this year, will offer journalists in the United Kingdom and the United States the opportunity to study and/or teach for one year in the other country.

"Alistair Cooke had an extraordinary impact on the U.S.-UK relationship, and the new Fulbright award will inform future generations of his achievements and vital contributions," said David. T. Johnson, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States Embassy in London. "British citizens trusted him as the voice for explaining America, while their American counterparts knew him as the quintessential British host of Masterpiece Theatre. The bilateral Fulbright program will provide a most fitting home for this award, to honor a man whose own life and accomplishments were truly Transatlantic."

Alistair Cooke died last year at the age of 95, after a long and respected career in journalism. For more than half a century, he shared his thoughts about the United States with listeners around the world in his weekly radio broadcasts of Letter from America. The series was the longest-running series in history to be presented by a single person.

"For over 60 years, Alistair Cooke spoke to both our nations, explaining the one to the other," said Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Patricia S. Harrison. "Therefore it is appropriate and in the spirit of the Fulbright Program that we honor him. A Fulbright scholarship in journalism recognizes his outstanding contribution to the profession and to mutual understanding between nations."

The British Ambassador to the United States, Sir David Manning, DCMG, will host a Washington reception on February 10, 2005 in honor of the new award. "The Fulbright Alistair Cooke Award in journalism is a fitting tribute to Alistair Cooke, a man who epitomized the warm relationship between our two countries," Sir David Manning said. "For so many years he promoted greater international understanding through his witty commentaries and inspired reporting. The award offers budding journalists the opportunity to hone and enhance their skills whilst embracing the spirit of the Fulbright Program and continuing Senator Fulbright's legacy."

The Fulbright program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, was created in the aftermath of World War II, through the efforts of U.S. Senator J William Fulbright. Cooke, who knew Senator Fulbright personally, described the program as his "happy inspiration". Cooke described study abroad as "the great and unceasing pleasure of doubling your experience of the human species by watching it at work and play in two different cultures."

"This new award named for Alistair Cooke will ensure Fulbright scholars in journalism every year," noted Carol Madison Graham, Executive Director of the U.S.-UK Fulbright Commission. "We hope that it will attract diversity both among individuals and in topic areas. As the award evolves it will also be offered to experienced journalists wishing to research or to devote time to developing the next generation through teaching."

The U.S.-UK Commission, supported by both governments, was founded in 1948. Since then, over 20,000 scholars have benefited from exchanges between the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, the U.S.-UK Fulbright Commission offers awards for postgraduate study in any discipline as well as a number of professional fellowships. Recipients of the awards for academic year 2005-2006 will be announced in May.

More information on this award and other awards under the U.S.-UK Fulbright program can be found on www.fulbright.co.uk.

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