Sen. Lieberman Promises To Create $1 M Scholarship

U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, preparing to leave office next month, told reporters at a press conference in Hartford Monday morning that he will use leftover campaign cash to start a $1 million endowment that will be fund college scholarships for high school students.

Standing in the historic Hall of Flags with his wife, Hadassah Lieberman, the outgoing Senator said he did not know exactly how much remains in his campaign warchest. But he pledged to raise enough money to create a $1 million Joe Lieberman Scholarship Fund.

“It’ll be in the hundreds of thousands but it certainly won’t be a million, so I’ll have some work to do to raise some money,” Lieberman said.

The fund will award $1,500 to four graduating high school students each. They may be renewed for up to three additional years.

As he winds up his 24-year career in the U.S. Senate, Lieberman said he feels a great sense of gratitude to the people of Connecticut.

“I wish I could actually visit every person in our state just to say thank you,” Lieberman said. “I wouldn’t even ask them whether they ever voted for me.”

Lieberman said he does not know exactly what he will do when his term ends in January. He is selling his home in Washington and plans to move back to Stamford.

Asked by a reporter if he intends to become a lobbyist, Lieberman said, “no, I’m not going to do that.”