FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2003
CONTACT: John Hammond, San Antonio College Director of Public Relations
210.733.2147
The People Speak: San Antonio College Joins National Debate on America's Role in the World
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., San Antonio College students will debate American foreign policy issues in the Loftin Student Center Fiesta Room, sponsored by Student Activities, International Students Association, and Student Government Association.
This free public debate is part of the national grassroots initiative "The People Speak," recently announced by representatives of the United Nations Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and League of Women Voters at the National Press Club. Some of the 16 cooperating organizations include the Jesse Helms Center Foundation, World Affairs Councils of America, and National Forensic League.
SAC students Tom Carnes, Laura Lopez, Yvonne Salazar, and Susanna Johnson will debate the following questions: "Should the U.S. use preemptive or preventative military force to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction?" and "Is America better off working with international institutions?" Faculty moderators will include Christy Kaupert, political science instructor; Phil Rogers, political science associate professor; and Jon Lee, history assistant professor.
"The students will present sound arguments that cover the broad range of choices facing American foreign policy makers in the coming decades," said Lee. He added, "Their debate is not an attempt to persuade the audience to one side or the other, but rather an opportunity to develop a more realistic vision of the alternatives for the country. All the participants understand that this is not a partisan exercise. It should be an enlightening intellectual experience."
The People Speak initiative will include more than 1,000 local debates and discussions about foreign policy throughout the country in October. In addition, 14 "signature" events will be held in the largest U.S. cities, featuring current and former policy-makers and community leaders: former Secretary of Defense William Perry, former New Mexico Governors Dave Cargo and Jerry Apodaca, former Ambassadors Ambler Moss and Robert Flaten, and current members of Congress Jim Cooper and Kevin Brady.
The idea of national debates grew out of a report of the Council on Foreign Relations, funded by the United Nations Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Open Society Institute. "The report describes three different approaches to security policy, ranging from unilateral preemption to multilateralism," said spokesperson Christina LoNigro.
"The crucial global policy decisions that face this country must be influenced by an informed and engaged public. This initiative gives Americans a voice," said Stephen B. Heintz, President, Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
For more information about the SAC debate, contact Jon Lee at 733-2565. For information about The People Speak, contact Christina LoNigro at 202-887-9040 or http://www.jointhedebate.org.