Future Leaders Council
As my 2020-21 Future Leaders Council comes to a close, I am reflecting on our sessions – especially during this unusual school year. I started the Council in 2017, and it is comprised of fifth graders from across central Arkansas. We meet four times during the school year to learn about the historic roots and practical sides of being a citizen of this great nation– you might call it a “booster shot” for the civics education students already receive in school.
I come away from these visits hopeful and encouraged by the students’ curiosity, their interest in their political system, and their love for our nation. I can’t help but compare this optimism with the discord and divisiveness in political discourse today. Elected officials on both sides have called for unity and bipartisanship, but without civility and fundamental civics education, that is unattainable.
At Future Leaders Council meetings, we discuss topics such as federalism, checks and balances, and the Constitution. Students also have the opportunity to hear from public officials about their experiences serving the people. We’ve welcomed many guest speakers including former U.S. Congressman Ed Bethune, State Senator Jane English, Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, State Auditor Andrea Lea, and even Member of the United Kingdom Parliament, Rehman Chishti.
The students in this year’s class have shown tremendous enthusiasm, despite having to adapt to a virtual setting. I had fun introducing our new family puppy, Taft, and meeting students’ furry friends over Zoom.
Some might ask why I chose fifth grade students instead of middle or high school-aged students. I believe in fostering robust civics education for those students too, but as a dad, I have found that fifth graders are at the point in their lives where they begin to pay attention to the democratic process. Americans will be better equipped to participate in our democratic process and advocate for policies that move our nation forward if they start learning about our Constitution and our republic from an early age.
To ensure the continued success of our American experiment, we must pass along not only the knowledge of how our government works but also an appreciation for our Constitution and our nation’s founding principles. I started the Future Leaders Council because I believe our nation’s young people, the next generation of leaders in the public and private sectors, must have a strong foundation in civics education. I am immensely proud of the 186 central Arkansas students I have come to know through this program, and I look forward to watching them serve their communities and lead Arkansas and the United States into the future. My hope is that their deepened understanding of our Constitution, the legislative process, and the merits of our federal system of government has awakened a lifelong commitment to bettering their communities and civil society around them. Through and enlivened citizenry our nation always will prosper.
The application process for the 2021-2022 school year is now open. If you are interested in having your child participate, please contact me at my Little Rock Office at (501) 324-5941 or at Hill. House.gov.