With 41 years of service, David Boaz is the longest-tenured employee in the history of the Cato Institute. Like Cal Ripken’s record-setting 2,632 consecutive games, I can’t conceive of anyone ever exceeding his record of service and dedication.

Without David, Cato wouldn’t be the influential and respected voice of liberty it is today. He has been immersed in nearly every aspect of Cato’s work and operations, and has kept Cato sharp, principled, independent, nonpartisan, and most importantly, libertarian. David’s book The Libertarian Mind is a brilliant articulation of our philosophy. I often give it to people I meet—especially young people and students—and challenge them to quibble with its compelling logic.

In addition to his incredible dedication to Cato, David is a foundational figure of the libertarian movement, helping to cultivate a real libertarian presence on the national stage. He has made substantial contributions to rolling back the war on drugs, putting school choice on the map, and the struggle for marriage equality. David has spent decades pushing back against the state, and pushing for the largest possible space for civil society. Along the way, he’s been a persuasive spokesman for Cato’s mission and values.

You can read more about David’s work in the latest issue of Cato Policy Report.

In recognition of these contributions, it’s with pride I announce David will join Friedrich Hayek, James Buchanan, and José Piñera as a Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute. In connection with this appointment, David will help secure the Institute’s future. He’ll focus his efforts on writing, speaking, and intellectual leadership as opposed to management, paving the way for a new generation of leadership to rise at Cato.

When David began his career at Cato, the Iron Curtain still divided Europe, the Supreme Court would soon uphold anti-sodomy laws, economic liberalization in China had barely begun, the school choice movement was yet to be ignited, the war on drugs was nearing its peak, and the largest country in South America was still ruled by the military. We’re ever conscious of the threats to liberty and the areas in which it’s been in retreat. But by any objective measure, the world is freer than when David arrived at Cato. And I’m confident in the knowledge that our emerging generation of leadership—in the face of today’s grave challenges—will make every effort to ensure it’s freer still when they’re ready to pass the torch to their successors.