Congress to Classroom Program Comes to UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Honors College, political science department and Blackburn Institute will host former Congressmen Barry Goldwater Jr. (R-Calif.) and Judge David Minge (D-Minn.) on campus Monday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m. in 310 Bidgood Hall as part of the Congress to Campus program.

Congressman Goldwater Jr. ran his first race for congress representing Los Angeles County in 1969 and served six terms. During his time in Washington, Goldwater served on several committees, including the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, the Joint Committee on Energy, the Committee on Science and Technology and also served on the Special Committee that reviewed the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

During his tenure, Goldwater drafted legislation that addressed issues that are still relevant today such as The Privacy Act of 1974 that prevents the distribution of private information from government and businesses.

Judge Minge was elected to the House in 1993, and he became part of the Blue Dog Coalition consisting of moderate and conservative Congressional Democrats. He was a champion of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a federal-state partnership to improve water quality and protect the environment. In 2002, Gov. Jesse Ventura appointed Minge to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Students are invited to attend a discussion with the former congressmen on the role of the U.S. Congress in policy making and public service. Seating will be limited to the first 100 attendees.

The Congress to Campus program sends bipartisan pairs of former members of congress to visit college, university and community college campuses around the country. The former members conduct classes, hold forums and meet informally with students and faculty.

For more information, contact Gina Miller at gina.l.miller@ua.edu or 205/348-5522.

Note: There will be a media availability time with the congressmen on Monday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. in 301 Morgan Hall