Media advisory: Dole Institute director can speak about George McGovern

LAWRENCE – Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas, is available to discuss the life and political career of former U.S. Sen. George McGovern.

McGovern died Sunday, Oct. 21, in a hospice in his native South Dakota.

In 2004, McGovern was the recipient of the Dole Leadership Prize for his bipartisan leadership style, including his work with Bob Dole to pass significant, bipartisan legislation in the Senate. In 2008, McGovern and Dole were presented the prestigious World Food Prize for their devotion to food safety and international school feeding program. The McGovern-Dole International School Feeding program was established in 2000 and has provided meals for millions of children in more than 40 countries and helped boost school attendance. The two senators had a long career of bipartisan partnership, despite philosophical and political differences.

Lacy was a campaign strategist before taking directorship of the Dole Institute in 2004. He has had a major role in seven presidential campaigns, including senior roles in Dole's 1988 and 1996 presidential runs. In 2007, he took a leave of absence from the Institute to manage former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson's campaign. Lacy also served as political director in the Reagan White House.

McGovern was the Democratic nominee for president in 1972, losing to Richard Nixon.

To schedule an interview with Lacy, call 785-864-4900.