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A Utah native who played a part in foreign policy decisions for three U.S. presidents received a hometown honor: Brent Scowcroft was added to the University of Utah's s Hinckley Institute of Politics Hall of Fame.
A former military man, 83-year-old Scowcroft has enjoyed an outstanding career in public policy and business.
Playing an important part in the Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George Bush Sr. administrations, Scowcroft more recently parlayed his experience into political think tanks and consulting.
At today's induction into the hall of fame, Scowcroft promptly gave insight into the current state of politics.
"We're in an age now that's very different than the one we old folks worked in," Scowcroft said. "Our country has become more partisan, more acrimonious and less able to deal with the problems of the world as Americans."
Like the rest of the nation, Scowcroft is watching the current presidential race with a keen eye. "I just wish we were debating some of the more major issues that we face, where the answers are not obvious," he said.
Scowcroft credits his childhood in Ogden as the bedrock of his success -- success that made him an easy choice for this honor.
"There has never been a more enthusiastic choice than General Scowcroft," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
Scowcroft is a statesman in an age where diplomacy is overshadowed by politics -- something he says will lead to chaos.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
