Lesser Begins Prestigious Fellowship Today

From the office of State Representative Matthew Lesser.
----------------------
Matthew Lesser left today on a month-long intensive transatlantic fellowship sponsored by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF).

Rep. Lesser is the only state official in the United States to be named a Marshall Memorial Fellow, a prestigious and competitive policy fellowship, and the flagship leadership development program of the GMF.



“I am grateful for this remarkable opportunity to meet with senior European partners and collaborate on issues of trade and investment, climate change, energy and security,” said Rep. Lesser. "Connecticut more than many states depends on strong economic and policymaking ties that span the Atlantic."

The Marshall Memorial Fellowship is a leadership development program accepting emerging global leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society intended to strengthen the transatlantic partnership. Fellows engage in 6 months of work to increase understanding of transatlantic relations before taking part in 24 days of policy immersion overseas in the spirit of the Marshall Plan.

“While overseas, I will have the opportunity to meet with senior leaders from NATO, the European Union, the US State Department and leading figures in many European countries. The exchange of policy, culture, and ideas will prove invaluable. I look forward to bringing back all that I have learned to Middletown and the Connecticut General Assembly,” Rep. Lesser remarked.

Rep. Lesser is one of just 76 new fellows selected from a total 700 nominees from 39 countries. This year’s fellows represent 21 European countries and 17 U.S. states. US fellows include high ranking members of the Obama Administration and leaders from the business community. European fellows include members of the German and Ukrainian Parliaments, the Executive Director of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, and the Mayor of Slupsk, Poland among many others. You can view all 76 fellows here.

No taxpayer funds will be expended on the trip and Rep. Lesser and his legislative staff will continue to assist constituents during his time abroad.
For more information on the Marshall Memorial Fellowship and the German Marshall Fund visit www.gmfus.org.