In an statement made yesterday, Robert P. George—McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University; Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School; and founding chairman of NOM—was named the chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). George has served on the Commission since 2012.

In announcing his appointment, outgoing chair, Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, said: “I have been honored to work alongside Professor George this past year in the struggle to guarantee religious freedom abroad for people of every faith and shade of belief. He is a true human rights champion whose compassion for victims of oppression and wisdom about international religious freedom shine through all we have accomplished this past year. [Emphasis added.] Our bipartisan Commission is united in its admiration for Professor George’s skills as an advocate and leader of the international religious freedom movement. The Commission is eager to continue its work under his able leadership.”

George commented on his election stating: “I am deeply honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with this position of leadership. …It will be my constant endeavor to live up to her outstanding example as USCIRF works to ensure that the cause of religious freedom, understood in its most robust sense, is given the high priority it deserves in the formation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. While much has been accomplished, much remains to be done.”

You can read the entire announcement here.