Monday, January 30, 2012

The Northeast Junior State today announced that it will host Congressman Frank at its Winter Congress Convention on February 3, 2012 at the DoubleTree Crystal City Hotel. The Convention will take place through February 5, 2002.

Congressman Frank: Congressman Barney Frank is one of the most influential politicians on Capitol Hill. Having represented the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts since 1980, Congressman Frank has stood proudly for national as well as local issues, spearheading some of the most important legislation in the past three decades. Most famously, Congressman Frank co-authored the Dodd-Frank Congressional District of Massachusetts, a new law that the Washington Post has called "the most sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial regulatory system since the Great Depression", which was debated at this past Fall State Convention.

Known for his view of the financial situation, Congressman Frank has also taken strong stances in support of social issues. The NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Frank a 100% rating in 2009 for his strong stance on the right of women to choose whether or not to have abortions. Congressman Frank has also taken strong stances in support of civil rights of all peoples, protection of citizenry against crime, and the right of States to legalize medical marijuana.

In addition to being considered one of the most powerful members of Congress, a survey of Capitol Hill staffers gave Congressman Frank the title of the "brainiest", "funniest" and "most eloquent" members of the House.

The Junior Statesman Foundation: The mission of the Junior State of America and the Junior Statesmen Foundation (JSA) is to strengthen American democracy by educating and preparing high school students for life-long involvement and responsible leadership in a democratic society. In the student-run Junior State and at JSA summer schools and summer institutes, and year-round program participants learn statesmanship as they engage in political discourse. They cultivate democratic leadership skills, challenge one another to think critically, advocate their own opinions, develop respect for opposing views and learn to rise above self-interest to promote the public good.

To accomplish these goals, Northeast JSA holds conventions and conferences throughout the year. The first and largest Northeast Convention of the year, Fall State, will be held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers on November 12th and 13th, 2011. Politically active students from all across the Northeast, will join together to debate and discuss the most pressing political issues facing our nation today. With thousands of students from Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and the rest of the Northeast coming together to debate, discuss, and learn, JSA represents youth civic activism in a generation with a lack of political engagement.

The main activity in which students partake is attending debate blocks. During debate blocks, students debate social, foreign, and economic policy issues. These debates allow students to learn about current events and political issues America faces, form opinions, and discuss, in terms of policy, actions the US government can take. Students have the opportunity to attend "Compromise Central" debates in which students must compromise on controversial issues, an important skill in our increasingly polarized country. In philosophy debates, students debate controversial philosophical, moral, and religious issues, allowing people to express their views of life, as well as politics. In Crisis Debates, students learn the valuable skills of reacting and making decisions in the midst of a crisis, and in historical debates, students are able to stand in the shoes of politicians of the past, and either affirm or negate their decision, discussing the pros and cons to the decision, allowing students, to get a better grasp of American political history.

The Junior State of America will also be holding a Speakers Program on Friday February 3rd from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Speaking will be Tom Bowden from the Ayn Rand Institute in DC, Congressman Courtney, Jim Schier of NASA, Jennifer Palmieri, Deputy White House Communications Director, and Mahmoud El Hamalawy Producer of Al Jazeera.

Feeding America Northeast JSA will be promoting Feeding America as its activism cause at Fall State, encouraging the Junior Statesman of America to contribute to their community. Feed America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. Junior Statesman throughout the Northeast are not only donating money to contribute to the fight against hunger in America, many are also volunteering for the organization, as well as advocating for the organization through contact with legislators.

JSA is an organization which advocates for student activity, political activism, and civic engagement. JSA Northeast Fall State allows students to join together is discussion and debate on a wide array of issues, hear great speakers, contribute to their community, and socialize with other politically interested students.

For additional information, contact Jack Cahn, Northeast Director of Public Relations at JCahn@northeastjsa.org or 347-266-4575.

Jerry Cahn, Ph.D., J.D.

President & Managing Director

Presentation Excellence

New York City, NY

646-290-7664