Morris J. Amitay
Encyclopedia
Morris J. "Morrie" Amitay, (born July 5, 1936) is a former Executive Director of AIPAC (1974–1980), currently Vice Chairman of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
(JINSA), and is the founder and treasurer of the Washington Political Action Committee.
Amitay was born in New York City. He is a Washington attorney and lobbyist, with offices on Capitol Hill, who represents a range of corporate clients specializing mainly in defense and national security issues.
In 1981, he founded the Washington Political Action Committee, which through 2006 had contributed more than three million dollars to Israel’s supporters in the U.S. Congress.
He has appeared as a commentator on a number of national radio and television programs including CNN, National Public Radio, the Lehrer Report, the Voice of America, Fox News, and the BBC.
Before taking over AIPAC, Amitay worked for one year in the U.S. House of Representatives and five years as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate, where he "took a lead role in organizing congressional initiatives affecting Israel and Soviet Jewry."http://www.washingtonpac.com/founder.htm
Prior to that he served as a Foreign Service Officer
from 1962 to 1969, with assignments in Italy, South Africa, and the State Department.
Amitay earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University
, his J.D. degree from the Harvard Law School
(where he wrote his thesis for Henry Kissinger
’s Defense Policy Seminar) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University
.
On July 25, 1977, Amitay's home was the target of a bomb that killed the family dog but caused no other injuries to Amitay or his family.
Currently, he resides in Virginia with his wife Martha, and their daughter Rachel. He has three other children from a previous marriage, named Stephen, Michael, and Cheryl. Amitay continues to service his clients and run the Washington PAC. He is actively involved in matters pertaining to U.S. national security and the Middle East.
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit think-tank focusing on issues of United States and Israel in national security. JINSA's stated aim is threefold: to ensure a strong and effective U.S...
(JINSA), and is the founder and treasurer of the Washington Political Action Committee.
Amitay was born in New York City. He is a Washington attorney and lobbyist, with offices on Capitol Hill, who represents a range of corporate clients specializing mainly in defense and national security issues.
In 1981, he founded the Washington Political Action Committee, which through 2006 had contributed more than three million dollars to Israel’s supporters in the U.S. Congress.
He has appeared as a commentator on a number of national radio and television programs including CNN, National Public Radio, the Lehrer Report, the Voice of America, Fox News, and the BBC.
Before taking over AIPAC, Amitay worked for one year in the U.S. House of Representatives and five years as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate, where he "took a lead role in organizing congressional initiatives affecting Israel and Soviet Jewry."http://www.washingtonpac.com/founder.htm
Prior to that he served as a Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer is a commissioned member of the United States Foreign Service. As diplomats, Foreign Service Officers formulate and implement the foreign policy of the United States. FSOs spend most of their careers overseas as members of U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic...
from 1962 to 1969, with assignments in Italy, South Africa, and the State Department.
Amitay earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, his J.D. degree from the Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
(where he wrote his thesis for Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Heinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
’s Defense Policy Seminar) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
On July 25, 1977, Amitay's home was the target of a bomb that killed the family dog but caused no other injuries to Amitay or his family.
Currently, he resides in Virginia with his wife Martha, and their daughter Rachel. He has three other children from a previous marriage, named Stephen, Michael, and Cheryl. Amitay continues to service his clients and run the Washington PAC. He is actively involved in matters pertaining to U.S. national security and the Middle East.