Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award
The Truman Library Institute proudly announces that the 2024 Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award will be presented to Senator Roy Blunt at the 25th Annual Wild About Harry celebration on April 18, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The award was created by the Truman Library Institute in 2010 to honor the decisive leadership of America’s 33rd president and to recognize individuals with a sustained and distinguished record of serving our nation and its democratic principles. Past honorees include Admiral Michelle Howard; USAID Director Samantha Power; General James Mattis; the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense and CIA director; and U.S. Congressmen James Clyburn and the late John Lewis—all of whom embody the leadership qualities exemplified by Harry Truman: courage, wisdom, foresight, humility, and accountability.
“The Institute is pleased to honor Senator Blunt with the 2024 Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award,” said Alex Burden, executive director of the Truman Library Institute. “Like Truman, Senator Blunt’s service to his community and country has always been grounded in a deep understanding of history and a commitment to bipartisanship. He is a champion of education and has been a tremendous supporter of the civics-education mission at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum.”
Past Award Recipients
2010 James A. Baker, III
2011 Christopher “Kit” Bond
2012 Dr. Robert M. Gates
2013 General Richard B. Myers
2014 Dr. Donna E. Shalala
2015 The Hon. Robert J. Dole
2016 Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
2017 Rep. James Clyburn & Rep. John Lewis
2018 David McCullough
2019 Dr. Madeleine K. Albright
2020 Gen. James. N. Mattis
2021 Samantha J. Power
2022 Ambassador William J. Burns
2023 Adm. Michelle Howard
The Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership award was established in 2010 by the Harry S. Truman Library Institute – the private, nonprofit partner of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum – to honor America’s 33rd President and to recognize individuals who have a sustained and distinguished record of serving our nation and its democratic ideals.
The recipient will have shown qualities exemplified by Harry Truman, who served his county, his state, our nation, and the world without regard for personal reward. Like President Truman, award recipients demonstrate courage, wisdom, foresight, humility, and a willingness to be accountable for the difficult actions and decisions required of a true leader.
Truman said, “Do your duty and history will do you justice.” Through the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award, the Truman Library Institute seeks to remind our nation’s citizens of the universal wisdom of this message, and to inspire all to seek paths of purpose and service.
PRESENTED ANNUALLY AT WILD ABOUT HARRY