In Powell v. Securities and Exchange Commission, CEI attorneys urged the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the Securities and Exchange Commission’s refusal to amend a rule, which—contrary to public policy and the First Amendment—requires parties who settle a case that the Commission brought to waive their constitutional right to speak out against the charge forever.
Fred Smith is the animating spirit at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Fred conceived of the idea for an organization that would, in his words, “find a more positive answer to the challenge Joseph Schumpeter laid down in his essay, “Can Capitalism Survive?” He founded the organization and served as president for nearly three decades.
He died at the age of 83 at home in Maryland where he is survived by his beloved wife Fran. Fred was a friend and mentor, an advocate and ally, and an inspiration. His bright light lives on in our work.
Fred Lee Smith
December 26, 1940 – November 23, 2024
