Joe Sestak - CIMUN VIII Keynote Speaker

The Model United Nations Development Organization is pleased to announce that former U.S. Representative Joe Sestak will deliver the Keynote Address at the Opening Banquet of the Eighth Annual Chicago International Model United Nations. Mr. Sestak represented Pennsylvania's 7th District from 2007 to 2011 in the U.S. House of Representatives. A former three star Admiral in the United States Navy, Mr. Sestak holds the distinction of being the highest ranking military official ever elected to Congress. In 2010, Mr. Sestak drew national attention by defeating 30 year incumbent Arlen Spector in the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Primary.

Prior to his tenure in Congress, Mr. Sestak served as Director of Defense on the National Security Council under President Clinton. His many accomplishments as a naval officer include commanding the USS George Washington carrier strike group during combat operations in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean in 2002, and serving as the first director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's top secret counter-terrorism unit.

As a member of Congress, Mr. Sestak sat on the House Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Education and Labor, and served as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Small Business. His legislative accomplishments including founding the House Pediatric Cancer Caucus, drafting an amendment to increase tax credits to small business, and advocating against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policies and Wall Street bailouts. In 2007, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer named Sestak the most productive freshman member of Congress.

In 2010, he mounted a successful campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. His opponent, Sen. Arlen Spector, was a 30 year veteran of the chamber who had recently switched from the Republican to the Democratic party. Mr. Sestak ultimately lost the general election by less than 80,000 votes out of nearly 4 million cast.

Mr. Sestak will bring a phenomenal breadth of experience in both domestic and international circles to the Keynote, and MUNDO is thrilled to have him as a part of this year's program.