Don Argue Appointed to U.S. Commission
On International Religious Freedom
April 13, 2007
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced the appointment of Dr. Don Argue to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, non-political and non-partisan federal agency. Argue currently serves as President of Northwest University (Kirkland, Washington).
“It is a high honor to serve my country in this unique way. I’m looking forward to being a voice for many of the world’s least, lost and forgotten,” commented Argue. He went on to say, “You can’t put a fence around conscience. Religious freedoms are basic human rights and freedom to worship is a key part in solving many of the problems experienced around the world.”
Argue’s work in international religious freedom gained attention when in 1998 President Bill Clinton appointed Argue, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick (Washington, DC) and Rabbi Arthur Schneier (New York City) as the first official (non-partisan/non-political) religious leaders delegation from the
United States to visit The People’s Republic of China and, as a result, he was involved in 50 personal meetings with China’s top leaders. The purpose of their visit was to confront Chinese leaders 
on the issues of religious freedom and religious persecution. The significance of their mission was highlighted when President Jiang Zemin met with the delegation, a meeting that U.S. Embassy staff indicated was unprecedented and historic.
Before accepting the invitation to Northwest University, Dr. Argue served as President of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). The NAE is comprised of approximately 43,000 congregations nationwide from 53 member denominations, and individual congregations from an additional 26 denominations, as well as several hundred independent churches.
Argue is known as a Christian statesman, visionary leader and able communicator. He has been invited to serve on national boards and committees. While President of NAE, President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright invited him to serve on the (non-partisan/non-political) President’s Advisory Committee on International Religious Freedom. As a member of the Committee, he chaired the subcommittee dealing with international religious persecution. This work, as well as other efforts in which NAE was involved, played a role in establishing the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), which created the USCIRF, as well as offices in the U.S. Department of State and an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Argue was present when his friend and colleague Robert Siepel was sworn in as the first Ambassador for International Religious Freedom.
Late in 2006 Argue announced his intention to transition from his role as President of Northwest University; the transition will be complete this summer after Argue has finished his ninth year leading the University. During his presidency, Northwest University’s enrollment has increased over 51%, fourteen buildings have been added to the campus, and many academic programs were added, including the University’s four graduate programs. Argue will continue as a member of the Northwest University Foundation Board of Trustees.
Argue also will continue his leadership among Evangelicals. Northwest University’s Board recently established the Center for Evangelical Vision, which will provide a context for Argue’s ongoing role at the University.
The USCIRF was created to monitor violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in IRFA and set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
Senator Clinton recommended the appointment, for which Argue will serve a two-year term.
The Commission is the first government commission in the world with the sole mission of reviewing and making policy recommendations on the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom globally. The Commission’s impact and success in accomplishing its mission is achieved through its efforts to bring advice and accountability to U.S. foreign policy in the promotion of religious freedom abroad. By providing reliable information and analysis, as well as careful and specific policy recommendations, the Commission provides the U.S. government and the American public with the tools necessary to promote this fundamental freedom throughout the world.
The Commission, which began its work in May 1999, is not a part of the State Department and is independent from the Executive Branch.
The Commission consists of nine voting Commissioners and the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, who is a non-voting member. Three Commissioners are selected by the President, two by the leaders of the President’s party in Congress, and four by the congressional leaders of the other party.
Commissioners bring a wealth of expertise and experience in foreign affairs, human rights, religious freedom, and international law; the membership also reflects the religious diversity of the United States.
For the release from Senator Reid’s Office, click here.
