American Spirit Foundation

The American Spirit Foundation was founded in 1989 by actor Jimmy Stewart and convicted drug dealer Peter F. Paul. The foundation was established to institutionalize the use of the entertainment industry for innovative public education programs in the U.S., and support of democracy movements in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Block. They worked closely with the interdisciplinary studies director of the Smithsonian Institution, Russian president Boris Yeltsin and Polish President Lech Walesa.

Stewart remained as honorary Chair of the Foundation, while Paul served as President and CEO. In 1990, Spider Man creator Stan Lee, Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Entertainment was invited to serve as Chairman of the Foundation, which he did through 1997. [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3506015853621728029 Stan Lee] and [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3506015853621728029 Peter F. Paul] collaborated to develop a Hollywood initiative, the Entertainers for Education project that was launched at the Fourth Spirit of America Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, December 13 1990. Jimmy Stewart served as Chairman of the Gala, Charlton Heston emceed and [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5892533641826706836 President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Nancy Reagan] presented the Spirit of America Awards to Helen Hayes and MCA/Universal Chief Lew Wasserman, while launching the [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5892533641826706836 Entertainers for Education] initiative before more than 150 Hollywood luminaries and executives at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The Foundation recognized, through Spirit of America Awards, the contributions of more than thirty celebrated Americans who each personified a significant cultural contribution to the American Experience, and the vitality of the American Dream as a beacon to all of mankind.

Spirit of America Honorees included Muhammad Ali, Jaime Escalante, Yo Yo Ma, Bob Hope, Helen Hayes, Ronald Reagan, Irene Dunne, Richard O. Anderson, Roy Campanella, Buzz Aldrin, Rafer Johnson, George Argyros, Ernest Hahn, Howard Finster, Michael Crawford, Boris Yeltsin, Lew Wasserman.