Ithaca, N.Y. — A conservative commentator who rose to national prominence as an outspoken member of the House of Representatives will be speaking at Cornell on Thursday.
Allen West, of Florida, will be speaking at Cornell’s Biotechnology Building on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. about foreign policy.
West rode a Republican wave election in 2010 and became the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since the 19th Century.
West lost his seat in 2012, but still speaks on Fox News and retains the adulation of many on the right-wing of American politics. (Not so much on the left.)
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The press release from the Cornell Republicans states:
“ITHACA, NY – Drawing on his experience as a retired lieutenant colonel and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Allen West will offer his insights on the rapidly changing nature of U.S. foreign policy. From the pre-9/11 era to our engagement and withdrawal from the Middle East under the Bush and Obama administrations, the evolution of national security will be examined with a special focus on current political crises involving ISIS and Russia. Congressman West’s keynote address will take place in Biotechnology Building G10 at 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 30th.
Following the keynote speech will be a brief question and answer session from the audience. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.
West joined the United States Army in 1983 and was later deployed to Kuwait in 1991 and to Iraq in 2003. He retired from the Army in 2004 after 22 years of service. West’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal, among others. After a year as a high school teacher, West spent two years working for a defense contractor in Afghanistan as a civilian advisor to the Afghan National Army. West was later elected to represent Florida’s 22nd District in 2010 where he sponsored legislation that reduced costs at the Department of Defense.
He is a Fox News Contributor, a Senior Fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, and he writes for several prominent publications such as the Washington Times and PJ Media.