National Archives to Host Conference on Bipartisanship June 16
Press Release · Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Washington, DC

Conference to examine solutions for achieving more bipartisanship and civility in US political discourse

The National Archives, in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress and the Bipartisan Policy Center, will host Breaking the Stalemate: Renewing a Bipartisan Dialogue, a daylong conference, on Wednesday, June 16, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Current and former Members of Congress, political experts and journalists will explore the causes and effects of partisan gridlock in Washington and outline tangible solutions for changing course. David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, will provide opening remarks.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) will deliver the keynote address. Former Congressman John J. Rhodes, III, President of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress; and Jason Grumet, President of the Bipartisan Policy Center, will also speak. The event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The public should use the National Archives Special Events Entrance at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.

Conference registration: This event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Attendees should register by June 9, 2010, by calling 202-222-0972. Leave your name, address, e-mail address, and phone number. The event is open to media, but space is limited. Media interested in attending the event should RSVP via e-mail to press@bipartisanpolicy.org.

Panel One, Institutional Perspectives: Partisanship and the Political Divide,will bring together former House and Senate leadership, including former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, former Speaker Tom Foley, former Minority Leader Bob Michel, and former Congressman Martin Frost. Judy Woodruff of PBS will moderate.

Panel Two, Sound Bite News: Political Discourse in the Age of Pundits, Cable and Twitter, will discuss the effects of the 24-hour news cycle. The panel will include Charlie Cook, Editor and Publisher of The Cook Political Report and Political Analyst for the National Journal Group; ABC News’ Jonathan Karl; Politics Daily’s Jill Lawrence; and Stu Rothenberg, Editor and Publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report. Former Congressman Fred Grandy will moderate.

Panel Three, Changing Course: Examples and Solutions for Breaking the Stalemate in Washington, will reunite former Members of Congress who served on the Bipartisan Congressional Planning Committee. This panel will include Transportation Secretary and former Congressman Ray LaHood, along with Congressmen David Skaggs, Amo Houghton, and Tom Sawyer. Jackie Calmes of The New York Times will moderate.

Conference Schedule

The National Archives Building is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for a public program, please e-mail public.program@nara.gov or call (202) 357-5000 at least two weeks prior to the event. To verify the date and times of the programs, see the Calendar of Events online.