The Board and staff of NDI mourned the passing of Charles "Chuck" Manatt, a former Democratic Party leader and diplomat, who was the founding chairman of the Institute.

"While Chuck was perhaps best known as a gifted Democratic Party activist and leader, his many contributions extended well beyond America's shores," said NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright. "As the founder and first chairman of NDI, he understood the positive role our country could play in advancing democracy and human rights worldwide. And as ambassador, he represented the U.S. with distinction."

Albright served alongside Manatt as NDI’s founding vice chair, and she was secretary of state during his tenure as ambassador to the Dominican Republic.  "He cherished the tenets of democracy at home and abroad," Albright said.

As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Manatt was instrumental in NDI's creation in 1983 when he and his Republican counterpart, Frank Fahrenkopf, joined with President Ronald Reagan and the Democratically-controlled Congress to establish the National Endowment for Democracy.

"Chuck was political to his core, and proud of it," said NDI President Kenneth Wollack.  "He recognized that political parties everywhere can provide a structure for political participation, and, through the practice of democratic politics, the aspirations of people can find concrete expression. NDI will always honor his legacy — a passion for, and a deep and abiding belief in democratic politics."

Published July 25, 2011