Fiscal Responsibility

Harry Zeeve - Page 1

"I am a lawyer, not an economist," says Harry Zeeve adding with a laugh, "I'm a recovering lawyer." Harry is the national field director for the Concord Coalition, a non-partisan organization dedicated to balancing the federal budget. "I was a political science major," says Harry. "I had always been involved in campaigns, volunteering, and following the issues. So once I decided that practicing law was something I did not want to continue, it was an easy jump into this."

In 1992 The Concord Coalition was founded by former Senator Warren B. Rudman, a Republican from New Hampshire; former Secretary of Commerce Peter G. Peterson; and former Democratic Senator, the late Paul E. Tsongas of Massachusetts. Harry had attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and had long admired Tsongas as well as fellow New Englander Rudman. "I liked the fact that both of them weren't locked into easy answer, party orthodoxy," Harry says. "The budget deficit was an issue I truly cared about and I didn't see either party addressing it comprehensively. So I joined the Concord Coalition as a volunteer when they started in '92 and got a staff job with them in '95."

Harry started as the Kansas and Missouri coordinator and later became the national field director. "I keep our field staff, our various volunteers around the country on the same page in terms of message and events. I work with members of Congress and their staffs, I work with the media and various other organizations to help get the message out." One of his current projects is operating the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour. Sponsored by the Concord Coalition, the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour is a group of analysts who are traveling the country speaking at colleges and public forums trying to get the word out that our current federal fiscal policy is unsustainable. "We have a very interesting ideological mix that can sit down and agree on the math and they can do it in public forums that are civil and rational and actually inform the audience rather than get into the sort of food fight atmosphere that you see on either TV or in the papers," says Harry.

Harry stays out of political food fights but he's not afraid to mix it up in the kitchen. A native of Harrison, New York, his mom was raised in Montgomery, Alabama, giving the family meals a decidedly southern edge. "The meals were great," he says. "My favorite is still chicken and dumplings and the real deal fried chicken. I know from collared greens and all that kind of good stuff." His grandmother lived with them while he was growing up and Mom and Grandma worked well together. "They were a really good team. My mother is a terrific cook and my grandmother was a great cook." When Harry was 11 years old they let him join in. "Until I was a little older they generally kept me hands off. When Mom trusted me for cutting and slicing I'd join in. I really started helping after Grandma passed away." His dad also played an important role in nurturing his love of food. "He took us all over New York City to explore all the various ethnic restaurants." These adventures served him well when he left for school.

Continue >>

Article:
  Harry Zeeve: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3
  David Walker: Page 1 - Page 2
  Alison Acosta Fraser: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3
  Belle Sawhill: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3
  Chris Swann: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3
  Carl Tannenbaum: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3

Recipes:   Lemon Chicken | Rachel's Omelet | Corn Pudding | Marinated Filet Mignon | Asian Pork Tenderloin and Coconut Jasmine Rice | Grilled Chicken Breasts | Steak au Poivre | Pretzel Salad | End of Spring Beef Stew | Chicken Tarragon | Roasted Sweet Potatoes | No Bowl Cake | Chris and Aunt Mary's Stromboli | Aunt Pat's Pizza Meat | Cracchiola Family Sauce | Chris's Baked Ziti | Aunt Eleanor's Spedini | Post-Thanksgiving Gumbo | Singapore Rice Noodles | Red Chili and Orange Barbecue Sauce | Tandoori-style Grilled Chicken