ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Charles Melancon, D-La., and Steven Kuykendall, R-Calif., former members of the U.S. House of Representatives, will visit St. Bonaventure University April 3-4 as part of the Congress to Campus program.
The duo will visit classes, be available for media interviews and present a public forum on the hostile partisan disagreements in Washington. They will also join students in discussions on immigration reform in Model Senate, a component of Dr. Bart Lambert’s political science course on Congress that will include a role-playing simulation of the legislative process.
This is the second year St. Bonaventure has partnered with the Congress to Campus program, which brings together former members of Congress and today’s youth to increase civic literacy and participation.
The community forum will take place at 4 p.m. April 3 in the Rigas Family Theater of The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The former Congressmen will discuss “What Explains the Discord in Washington and What Can Be Done to Restore Bipartisan Cooperation?” The event is free and open to the public, but tickets should be reserved by calling the Quick Center Box Office at (716) 375-2494.
Melancon and Kuykendall will also lead a lunchtime forum for university students, faculty and staff at 11:30 a.m. April 4 in the University Club. Lunch is $3 for those without an SBU meal plan. The pair, who both have been involved with conservation organizations, will lead a discussion on “How Should States and Communities Respond to Cutbacks in Federal Environmental Protection?” Advance registration is appreciated by going to www.sbu.edu/CongresstoCampus.
