WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS "At the time this nation was formed, our population stood at around 3 million. And we produced out of that 3 million people perhaps six leaders of world class -- Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Hamilton. Today, our population stands at 245 million, so we might expect at least 80 times as many world-class leaders -- 480 Jeffersons, Madisons, Adams, Washingtons, Hamiltons, and Franklins. Where are they?" John Gardner, "On Leadership" In 1957, while President of Carnegie Corporation, Gardner proposed the idea for a White House Fellows program, an intensive year of work at the highest levels of government for young leaders. Gardner hoped that such a program would cultivate a group of leaders who understand the challenges of national government and are committed to leadership in their communities. It was not until 1964 that President Lyndon Johnson established the White House Fellows Program, declaring that a "genuinely free society cannot be a spectator society." Since then more than 500 men and women have served as White House Fellows, going on to distinguished careers in many areas of society. Some have gone into government such as Secretary of State Colin Powell, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, and former United States Senator Timothy Wirth. Others have become leaders in academia, such as Michael Armacost, the president of the Brookings Institution. Still other White House Fellows have enjoyed successful careers in the military and business.   Video: Colin Powell speaking about The White House Fellows. White House Fellows leave their current jobs to work as full-time paid assistants to members of the President's Cabinet and senior White House staff. Their duties can run the gamut from drafting legislation to researching policy initiatives and briefing staff members. At the same time, Fellows participate in an education program that includes regular meetings and travel to see how policies work in the real world. John Gardner has remained active in the White House Fellows program throughout his career.