Congressional Student Forums

Congressional Student Forums provide college students with a personal experience of civility in the governing process.

End-To-End

We’ll handle everything

We bring the program to your college or university campus (in-person or virtually), provide promotional materials, coordinate Congressional visitors, and prepare the program. We can even arrange to provide voter registration services for attendees if desired.

The Details

How it works

  • Meaningful dialogue. Two members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, dialogue (not debate!) about current issues.
  • For ~90 minutes. Forums are held on university/college campuses and last about 1 ½ hours.
  • Campus community. There is no admission fee, but the forums are usually not open to the general public.
  • Wrap-up + meet & greet. At the conclusion, each member of Congress makes a closing statement and participates in a meet and greet with attendees.

The PRogram

Agenda at a glance

1

Civility

The first portion of the program examines the importance of civility in the governing process and community.

2

Issues

Next, students interact directly with their elected officials, setting the agenda through their questions.

3

Closing

At the conclusion, each member of Congress makes a closing statement.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia and Rep. Randy Weber

Raise your hand

Ready for a forum on your campus?

We’d love to have a conversation with you.

“So as teachers declare a crisis of civility in the schools, and the search goes on for something to blame, the students have a simple request: show us the way.”

— Chris Bury, ABC World News Tonight

Where We’ve Been

Past Forums

The Institute has an established track record of holding successful forums going back to 1999.

YearLocationMembers Of Congress
2023University of Houston – Clear Lake, TexasSylvia Garcia and Randy Weber
2022University of Houston – Houston, TexasSylvia Garcia and Randy Weber
2021Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship – Lexington, KentuckyAndy Barr and John Yarmuth
2021University of Houston – Houston, TexasLizzie Fletcher and Randy Weber
2020University of Louisville – Louisville, KentuckyJames Comer and John Yarmuth
2015University of Houston – Houston, TexasGene Green and Randy Weber
2014University of Texas San Antonio – San Antonio, TexasHenry Cuellar and Lamar Smith
2014University of Missouri Kansas City – Kansas City, MissouriEmanuel Cleaver and Kevin Yoder
2014Lone Star College, North Harris – Houston, TexasKevin Brady and Gene Green
2013University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio – San Antonio, TexasHenry Cuellar and Lamar Smith
2008Lone Star College – North Harris, Houston, TexasKevin Brady and Gene Green
2007The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – Belton, TexasJohn Carter and Henry Cuellar
2006Lee College – Baytown, TexasGene Green and Ted Poe
2006Texas State University – San Marcos, TexasJohn Carter and Henry Cuellar
2005Rice University – Houston, TexasKevin Brady and Gene Green
2004University of Houston – Houston, TexasKevin Brady and Nick Lampson
2003Queens University – Charlotte, North CarolinaSue Myrick and Mel Watt
2003TCU – Fort Worth, TexasKay Granger and Charles Stenholm
2002Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, TexasKevin Brady and Jim Turner
2001Houston Community College, Central Campus – Houston, TexasKen Bentsen and John Culberson
2000North Harris Community College – Houston, TexasKevin Brady and Gene Green
1999Houston Community College, Central Campus – Houston, TexasBill Archer and Ken Bentsen
1999San Jacinto College South- Pasadena, TexasKevin Brady and Nick Lampson