WASHINGTON –Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced plans to hold his fifth Federal Judiciary Youth Summit on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Davenport United States Courthouse.
As part of Grassley’s longstanding effort to foster civic engagement and uphold the separation of powers, the summit encourages Iowa students to learn more about the judicial branch and exercise their constitutional freedoms.
“Our federal judiciary bears tremendous influence on Americans’ lives. While the executive and legislative branches spend more time in the limelight, the judiciary branch’s actions often have impacts that last long after a presidential term or session of Congress ends,” Grassley said. “Landmark rulings affect free speech, religious liberty, privacy and many other issues that matter to Iowans. The sooner high school students can engage with and understand the federal judicial system, whether it be at the Supreme Court, districtor appellate court levels, the better.”
“I have no doubt the students will come eager to learn. I look forward to hearing Judge Locher’s insights, as well as sharing my own experiences from serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Grassley concluded.
The summit will feature Judge Stephen H. Locher, a Senate-confirmed judge for the Southern District of Iowa. The format will include a welcome reception and question-and-answer session. Fifty-seven area high schools have been invited to participate. Each school may select two juniors or seniors and one teacher to attend.
Students and educators who attended past summits praised the open discussions, calling the Federal Judiciary Youth Summit a “wonderful opportunity.”
“I think civic engagement is very important for my generation. Today was a great experience.” Le Yuan Sun of Shenandoah High School said of the 2021 summit.
“Today’s event with Senator Grassley and Judges Ebinger and Gritzner was a unique and valuable experience for students... They were able to hear firsthand how the judicial system works here in Iowa and at the federal level. I commend Senator Grassley’s mission to educate and support student interest and involvement in local and national government. My students are eager to share their experience with classmates and friends,” Julie Heitz of Ankeny Community School District said of the 2021 summit.
Grassley works closely on federal judiciary matters, serving as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee since his election to the Senate. Under his leadership as chairman of the committee, the Senate confirmed a historic 85 highly-qualified federal judges, including two Supreme Court justices.
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