COUNCIL BLUFFS – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a former chairman and senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today welcomed juniors and seniors from southwestern Iowa high schools to his fourth annual Federal Judiciary Youth Summit in Council Bluffs. This year’s summit is part of Grassley’s longstanding efforts to engage Iowans in our system of representative government, uphold the separation of powers and foster participation in civic life.
Grassley was joined by Chief Judge for the Southern District of Iowa, Stephanie Rose. Judge Rose shared about her own journey and gave high school students and educators a glimpse into the daily workings of the federal justice system. Each high school was invited to bring juniors or seniors to the summit. In total, 13 high schools from eight counties participated in the program with 57 students in attendance.
“It was an honor to hold another successful seminar for young Iowans in Council Bluffs this morning. Not everyone gets the opportunity to travel to Washington to witness the inner workings of our government, so hosting this event brings a glimpse of our federal system to the people locally,” said Grassley. “I thank Chief Judge Rose for taking the time to join me and reflecting on the importance of our constitutional system. I hope this program can serve as inspiration for young minds interested in public service. I look forward to seeing all that these students accomplish in their future endeavors.”
Additional photos to download can be found HERE
“I think this is incredibly powerful because when we talk about American government it feels far away. This does not feel far away. These people are touchable, and Judge Rose was phenomenal. It makes things seem possible,” said Stephanie Kelley, social studies teacher at Griswold High School. “For these kids too when we don’t necessarily see a huge number of opportunities like someone in an urban area is going to see, we can still do these things and I think that was powerful for them to hear. I had quite a few female students, and that was powerful for them to see a woman that had started out wanting to change the world, and she is, but even in a different way than when she first started.”
“I definitely learned a lot more on the legal system..., especially how things are conducted in a courtroom. I have never been in one or have never been a part of any court case or jury, so I got a better grasp of what goes on in there and how the whole system works,” said Jace Thomsen, junior at CAM High School. “This whole thing is very important, yet it has been a dying interest in my generation. I feel like we need to be more invested in important things like this, like coming out and meeting the senator and talking with Judge Rose. As a newer generation we are the future, and we just have to take in and learn as much as we can to better prepare for the future.”
“I think a lot of our students when they think of court or trials, they get their information from what they see on TV or movies, which is often a lot of the state trials or criminal trials. So, to get the federal perspective I think is excellent, said Dan Elliott, social studies teacher at Tri-Center High School. “A lot of us, even adults, don’t understand the federal scene or process. Obviously, Senator Grassley is a legend. He came to our school two years and spoke to the juniors and seniors, and he was awesome. And Judge Rose, I was really impressed with her journey and her professionalism and how she could relate to the students.”
-30-