WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) spoke on the Senate floor in support of his bipartisan resolution with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) recognizing National Speech and Debate Education Day. Since 2016, Grassley and Coons have led the effort each year to mark National Speech and Debate Education Day in the Senate.
The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) is based in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Text of the Grassley-Coons resolution can be found HERE.
Grassley began his remarks by reflecting on this past weekend’s dignified transfer of remains for the 103rd Sustainment Command soldiers killed in Kuwait.
Over the weekend, I was honored to attend the very solemn dignified transfer of remains at the Dover Air Force Base.
Along with President Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary Hegseth and the entire Iowa congressional delegation, we paid our respects to the seven fallen heroes.
Barbara and I continue to pray for the safety of our brave military.
On another subject, Mr. President, since 2016, the senior senator from Delaware and I have led the Senate to pass a resolution to recognize National Speech and Debate Education Day.
This year, our bipartisan resolution designated March 6th as National Speech and Debate Education Day, marking the 10th anniversary of [celebrating] this important occasion.
However, it isn’t just 10 [years], but much longer. The organization governing these programs, the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), has been around for much longer.
The National Speech and Debate Association, which happens to be based in the heart of America right there in my home state of Iowa, in West Des Moines, Iowa —the National Speech and Debate Association has served its members for over 100 years.
For over a century then, the National Speech and Debate Association has worked to equip young people with the skills to research thoroughly, to construct sound arguments, listen actively and respond thoughtfully.
These are not just competition skills. They are life skills.
Particularly when we have so much partisanship in our country, it’s a time when our public discourse is feeling increasingly divided. Programs like these matter more than ever.
Speech and debate education teaches students that strong arguments are built on evidence, that persuasion requires preparation and that progress begins, first of all, by just listening.
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Speech and Debate Education Day, we honor not only an organization with a proud history [of] 100 years or more... but also generations of students who have stepped up to the podium, found their voice and strengthened our democracy in the process.
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