WAR RISK INSURANCE-- Article by K. Walter Hickelgggff

In May 2002 the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG) awarded its 2002 James Madison prize to K. Walter Hickel for his article on the War Risk Insurance program. The SHFG is the professional organization of historians employed by the federal government. The Society's Madison Prize commemorates the principal author of The Federalist, some of the most significant essays on the nature of the federal government. The Madison Prize is given for excellence in an article or essay that deals with any aspect of the federal government's history. Entries are judged for value in furthering the understanding and history of the federal government; quality and thoroughness or research; style and appropriateness or presentation; suitability and rigor of methodology; and use of original and primary materials.

Presenting the award on behalf of the SHFG, Larry DeWitt, Historian at the U. S. Social Security Administration, said of the Hickel article: "Not only does Walter Hickel's article explore a little-researched federal program--one with significant implications for later welfare state developments--but he also identifies the broader social impacts, especially on gender and race, of this program. His paper is an excellent example of the kind of innovative scholarship the Society looks for when awarding the Madison prize."

K. Walter Hickel (left) is presented the SHFG 2002 Madison Prize at the annual awards luncheon of the Society. Making the presentation on behalf of the Awards Committee is Larry DeWitt. The ceremony took place in the lobby of the Library of Congress Madison Building, under the watchful eye of the statute of James Madison. Photo courtesy of SHFG.