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WASHINGTON – The Pension Rights Center released the following statement on the death of former board member Lisle Carter:
“Lisle C. Carter, Jr. was a man of great distinction and infinite wisdom whose entire life was dedicated to public service, helping to lay the groundwork for many of the country’s most far-reaching retirement income reforms. He was also a valued member of the Pension Rights Center family.
Lisle, who died on September 10, 2009 at the age of 83, served on the Pension Rights Center’s board of directors from 1984 to 2005. His insights and knowledge of retirement policy played a critical role in shaping Center’s grassroots and public policy campaigns that resulted in millions of people winning new pension rights. He also played an essential role in spurring our growth as an institution.
Lisle Carter came to the Center with an impressive background. We first met him when he was a member of the President’s Commission on Pension Policy, established during the Carter Administration in 1978. The recommendations put forward by Lisle and the other commission members created a road map for the policy initiatives pursued by the Pension Rights Center over the following decades. These included reduced vesting requirements in pension plans, providing important protections to widows and divorced spouses, and promoting the need for a universal, secure and adequate pension system.
In addition to his work on retirement issues, Lisle had a distinguished career in government, academia and in the nonprofit and legal arenas. Among his many accomplishments, Lisle was the first president of the University of the District of Columbia, assistant secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, general counsel for the United Way of America, chancellor of Atlanta University Center, vice president of Cornell University, and chairman of the board of directors of the Children’s Defense Fund. He was also a partner in the law firm Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand.
We will miss Lisle’s wisdom, warmth, and wit. Our condolences go out to his wife Jane, his children, and grandchildren.”
