Lockheed Martin Corporation, the world’s largest defense contractor by revenue, has become the premier sponsor of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) annual Dean Acheson Lecture for five years beginning in 2009.
The company will be recognized as a sponsor in all lecture-related materials and will be included as a founding corporate partner for the Institute’s new headquarters and public education center campaign, located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, the company said.
Defense secretary Robert Gates was the Dean Acheson Lecture series’ first keynote speaker in October 2008. The $1 million gift to the institute’s endowment fund will enable the continuation of the series through 2013.
"As USIP celebrates its 25th year of operations and prepares to move to our permanent office and training space, we are proud to have launched a lecture series worthy of its namesake and that Lockheed Martin is partnering with us in this endeavor," said J. Robinson West, chairman of USIP’s board of directors.
USIP’s permanent headquarters, located at what can be seen as the "war and peace" corner of the National Mall near the Vietnam, Korean and World War II memorials, is expected to be completed within the next two years.
The building will host a public education center for some 500,000 visitors each year. Lockheed Martin said its contribution to USIP’s endowment will be recognized in the building.
"As the world’s leading global security company, we are pleased to support the work of the USIP and its international partners," said Robert J. Stevens, president, chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin. "With thousands of employees supporting peacekeeping, stability operations and capacity building efforts around the world, Lockheed Martin understands the importance of working to prevent conflict and promote peace as vital components of global security."