Posted May. 25/06

The Congress to Campus program, which brings students into contact with bipartisan pairs of former members of the United States Congress, is designed to attract young people to public service leadership.

In February, Carleton University hosted Representatives Robert Carr (D-MI), a former nine-term member of the US House who specialized in transportation issues; and James Greenwood (R-PA), a six-term member who specialized in health care and environmental issues.

During their two days on campus, Carr and Greenwood visited international affairs, journalism and political science classes. Students were enthusiastic about the opportunity to hear from the policymakers on the changing climate on Capitol Hill and between the US and Canada over key policy issues. They found the congressmen frank in their remarks, particularly about the role of campaign finance in the US.

While in Ottawa, the guests attended a luncheon hosted by Dean Katherine Graham. They spoke at the West Ottawa Rotary Club and the former Parliamentarians’ Association about comparative US-Canadian efforts to tighten ethics in government.