The Competitive Enterprise Institute is celebrating the life of our beloved founder, Fred Lee Smith, Jr. (December 26, 1940 – November 23, 2024) at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC.

Fred Smith is the animating spirit at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He founded the organization in 1984 and was president for nearly three decades. Revered as a happy warrior for liberty, Fred preferred to call himself “a despairing optimist.” His joy, curiosity, and love for humanity inspired generations to advance policies that make the world a better, freer place.

“CEI has a more freewheeling personality than other think tanks… Fred himself was the same way. He was gregarious, whip-smart, stubbornly principled, and he was fun… Fred was a Washington institution, in a good way,” writes Senior Economist Ryan Young. His bright light lives on in our work.

Invitation only. Questions? Email [email protected]

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