2015 Dole Lecture to feature U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins
LAWRENCE — Republican Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins will give the annual Dole Lecture at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas this April. Jenkins will be interviewed on her national leadership position in Congress, what’s happening in Washington, D.C., today, and women’s leadership.
The Dole Lecture is scheduled for 4 p.m. April 26. The event is free and open to the public.
Jenkins, the fifth-ranking member of the House Majority and just the 25th woman to hold a leadership position in Congress, serves as vice chair of the House Republican Conference for the 114th congressional session.
“The Dole Institute is delighted to complete the spring schedule with arguably the third-most influential woman in the House today,” said Dole Institute Director Bill Lacy. “Congresswoman Jenkins’ event is an excellent way to conclude a semester largely devoted to women in leadership.”
Jenkins currently represents the 2nd District of Kansas, which includes Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Pittsburg, Independence and the majority of northeast and southeast Kansas. In addition to being conference vice chair, she also serves on the House Committee on Ways & Means, the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. As a member of the Ways & Means Committee, she serves on both the Health and Trade subcommittees.
“It is an honor to be invited to speak at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas, especially to close out a very important semester-long discussion about women in leadership,” Jenkins said. “I look forward to discussing my work in House leadership and what we can do as women to continue to shape policy in Kansas and America. Senator Dole has long been a mentor and a close friend, and it is a privilege to join the great list of speakers who have spoken at the Dole Institute and have an opportunity to pass on some of the wisdom he has given me over the years.”
Jenkins is a Certified Public Accountant by profession. She also served in the Kansas House and Kansas Senate and as the 37th Kansas state treasurer. Jenkins graduated from Kansas State University and has two children, Hayley and Hayden.
On April 14, 1945, Bob Dole was gravely wounded during a WWII battle in Italy. Each spring, on or near April 14, the Dole Institute of Politics hosts the Dole Lecture, a signature event featuring a person or topic addressing some aspect of contemporary politics or policy. Previous Dole Lectures have featured Bill Clinton, Tom Brokaw, Bob Woodward, Sheila Bair, and senators Tom Daschle and George Mitchell, among others.
The bipartisan Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting public service, civic engagement and politics. It is located on KU’s west campus and includes the Robert J. Dole Archive & Special Collections. The Institute offers free public programming with world-renowned guest speakers on a variety of topics that intersect politics, as well as education and research opportunities for all ages. For more information on all Dole Institute programs and efforts, visit Dole Institute or call (785) 864-4900.