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
Congressional Student Forums are events designed by the Institute to provide college students with a personal experience of civility in the governing process. Forums are held on university/college campuses and last about 1 ½ hours. There is no admission fee, but the forums are usually not open to the general public. The Institute invites students, educators, members of the Institute and their guests to participate. Voter registration is also made available at some of these events.
The first portion of the program is spent examining the importance of civility to the governing process and to life in community. The forums include two members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, who dialogue (not debate!) about current issues. This is an opportunity for students to interact directly with their elected officials as the students set the agenda through their questions to the members of Congress. At the conclusion of the forum, each member of Congress makes a closing statement.
The Institute believes that offering students a personal experience in the governing process that is grounded in civility sets an important precedent for their future involvement in the civic process. We all benefit when more voices come to the table. The more civil we are as we talk to one another, the more we can learn together, and the easier we can reach solutions that work for everyone.
If you are interested in bringing a Congressional Student Forum to your campus, we’d love to discuss the idea with you. Please give us a call or send us an email.
Past Forums
The Institute has held successful forums across the nation. The following table is a list of our previous forums and their locations:
| Year | Location | Members Of Congress |
| 2022 | University of Houston – Houston, Texas | Sylvia Garcia and Randy Weber |
| 2021 | Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship – Lexington, Kentucky | Andy Barr and John Yarmuth |
| 2021 | University of Houston – Houston, Texas | Lizzie Fletcher and Randy Weber |
| 2020 | University of Louisville – Louisville, Kentucky | James Comer and John Yarmuth |
| 2015 | University of Houston – Houston, Texas | Gene Green and Randy Weber |
| 2014 | University of Texas San Antonio – San Antonio, Texas | Lamar Smith and Henry Cuellar |
| 2014 | University of Missouri Kansas City – Kansas City, Missouri | Emanuel Cleaver and Kevin Yoder |
| 2014 | Lone Star College, North Harris – Houston, Texas | Kevin Brady and Gene Green |
| 2013 | University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio – San Antonio, Texas | Henry Cuellar and Lamar Smith |
| 2008 | Lone Star College – North Harris, Houston, Texas | Kevin Brady and Gene Green |
| 2007 | The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – Belton, Texas | John Carter and Henry Cuellar |
| 2006 | Lee College – Baytown, Texas | Gene Green and Ted Poe |
| 2006 | Texas State University – San Marcos, Texas | John Carter and Henry Cuellar |
| 2005 | Rice University – Houston, Texas | Kevin Brady and Gene Green |
| 2004 | University of Houston – Houston, Texas | Kevin Brady and Nick Lampson |
| 2003 | Queens University – Charlotte, North Carolina | Sue Myrick and Mel Watt |
| 2003 | TCU – Fort Worth, Texas | Kay Granger and Charles Stenholm |
| 2002 | Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, Texas | Kevin Brady and Jim Turner |
| 2001 | Houston Community College, Central Campus – Houston, Texas | Ken Bentsen and John Culberson |
| 2000 | North Harris Community College – Houston, Texas | Kevin Brady and Gene Green |
| 1999 | Houston Community College, Central Campus – Houston, Texas | Bill Archer and Ken Bentsen |
| 1999 | San Jacinto College South- Pasadena, Texas | Kevin Brady and Nick Lampson |