Center Celebrates Skillen’s Leadership

October 28, 2009

Nearly 100 friends and supporters of the Center for Public Justice gathered Oct. 23 to honor Jim Skillen and celebrate his 28 years of excellent leadership of the Center. Skillen, who retired as president on Sept. 30, now serves as a senior fellow with the Center. The event at the Rock Creek Mansion in Bethesda, Md., was hosted by the board of trustees and included a program emceed by Jerry Herbert, a longtime friend and former trustee of the Center.

The program included:

  • Tributes to Skillen presented by friend Priscilla Gault and former trustee Case Hoogendoorn, former Civitas scholar David Kim, supporter Dale Kuehne, and Brookings Institute president emeritus Bruce MacLaury. 
  • A musical tribute titled “For the Gift of You” composed by Ken Medema, commissioned by the trustees for this occasion. (Listen to the song here; copyright Brier Patch Music 2009.)
  • Presentation of an inscribed gift from the trustees and a book of remembrances submitted by more than 70 friends. Harold Heie, chair of the board of trustees, read two of these notes, including one from Jan Peter Balkenende, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
  • A response by Skillen, in which he recognized his wife, Doreen, for her support and exceptional work on behalf of the Center, along with many others present who had contributed to the work of CPJ over many years. These included former student interns, former employees, and four members of the original board of trustees. 
  • A prayer by Rev. Norm Steen, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Washington, D.C.

Priscilla Gault      

Board chair Heie also introduced the guests to the new president of CPJ, Gideon Strauss, saying he couldn’t imagine a better “one-two punch” on behalf of public justice than these two leaders. He cited Skillen’s work in laying a strong foundation of principled thought about public justice and Strauss’s future work to build on that foundation in light of his extraordinary communication, entrepreneurial, and organizational skills. Strauss added his own tribute, noting Skillen’s important contribution to his thought and action concerning public justice.

This celebration followed the 15th annual Kuyper Lecture, held one day earlier in Washington, D.C.

Doreen and Jim Skillen enjoy a moment of celebration.  

Harold Heie presents Skillen with a book of remembrances.

Jim Skillen addresses the gathered guests.

New president Gideon Strauss offers his thanks to Skillen.