Celebrating 90 Years - Foreign Policy Association

When the first year American citizens were allowed to go
to China in the 1980s, Leonard Marks headed a group of
twelve Foreign Policy Association Board members visiting
the country as guests of the Chinese government. We
visited four cities and saw heads of government and factory
directors. We also visited universities and Chinese entertainment
sites. Leonard made a short introductory speech
at each stop and never once repeated himself. He was
outgoing and friendly. I am sure that he set the mood for
our wonderful trip. The United States could not have had
a more impressive American to begin our new relationship
with China.
Mary L. Belknap, Acting Chairman,
Foreign Policy Association Board of Directors
Leonard Marks, a communications lawyer
who served as director of the U.S. Information
Agency during Lyndon Johnson’s
administration, died at age 90 on August 11, 2006.
When he was appointed to head U.S.I.A., which develops
the U.S. image abroad, his law firm represented
over 400 broadcasting licenses. Lyndon and Lady Bird
Johnson had been among his first clients, and his advice
helped them to build the L.B.J. fortune.
In Memoriam
Leonard H. Marks
1916-2006
Leonard Marks received a Bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
In 1942, he became the assistant to the general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission and directed
the agency’s efforts to monitor foreign radio broadcasts. Under a State Department program, he lectured on communications
during the 1950s in India, Turkey, and other countries. Working with Edward R. Murrow in 1962, he led
a private program to distribute American books abroad.
During his tenure at U.S.I.A., he hired talented local storytellers in Vietnam to disseminate American views in that
country. He brought Anwar el-Sadat, who was not yet President of Egypt, to visit with President Johnson.
Leonard Marks served as president of the International Rescue Committee in the 1970s, organizing assistance to
Vietnamese refugees. His other activities included leading national and international work in communications,
press freedom, foreign policy, and humanitarian issues.
FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION | 117
IN MEMORIAM