Posted on Sep 14, 2006

Murray, Ky., Sept. 12 —Congress to Campus, a program that brings former congressmen together with thousands of college students across America is coming to Murray State University Sept. 18-19. The two-day visit is part of a program of activities in celebration of Constitution Day. The event will feature former congressmen Andy Jacobs Jr. (D) of Indiana and Arlen Erdahl (R) of Minnesota. Residents of Murray and surrounding communities are invited to a public lecture on Monday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in Wrather West Kentucky Museum Auditorium. Congress to Campus guests Jacobs and Erdahl will address “Congress, the Constitution and the Nation.” Earlier that day, students are invited to “Get to Know a Congressman.” Jacobs and Erdahl will be available for a meet-and-greet session from noon until 1 p.m. in the Curris Center Commonwealth Room. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at noon, the former congressmen will be part of a panel discussion titled “Democracy and the Constitution.” in the Curris Center Barkley Room. Kentucky Supreme Court Judge William McAnulty and Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge David Buckingham will join them. MSU professors Winfield Rose and Tom Glover will moderate. Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society and the MSU department of government, law and international affairs present each of the public events, which are also designated Passport to Success student activities. While on campus, Jacobs and Erdahl will also be interacting with students during several class presentations. Andy Jacobs Jr. served 15 terms as the congressman from Indiana’s Indianapolis 10th district. He was named Honor Man of his Marine Corps boot camp platoon and served as a Marine Corps infantryman in the Korean War. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1964 and continued to serve until 1996. In 1965 he was appointed to the Judiciary Committee where he helped write the historic Voting Rights Act. During his tenure he served the House Ways and Means Committee and chaired both the Subcommittee on Health (Medicate) and the Subcommittee on Social Security where he was ranking Minority Member. In 1976 Jacobs authored the “Payment Book Amendment” to the Constitution, requiring a balanced annual budget with mandatory retirement of the national debt. He also authored “The Powell Affair: Freedom Minus One” which tells the story of the ouster from Washington of the Harlem congressman. Jacobs holds a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Indiana University. Arlen I. Erdahl is president of Stassen, Stern & Erdahl International, L.L.C., a firm specializing in trade with China. As a U.S. congressman from 1979-83, Erdahl represented Minnesota as a member of the Foreign Affairs, Small Business, Education and Labor committees. He was principal deputy/acting assistant secretary for International Affairs in the U.S. Department of Energy from 1989-93. Erdahl also served as associate director/country director for the Peace Corps from 1983-89. He was Minnesota Secretary of State from 1970-74 and served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1963-70. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56. He received his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College. The Congress to Campus program unites the United States Association of Former Members of Congress in partnership with the Center for Democracy and Citizenship and the Stennis Center for Public Service to educate the next generation about American government, politics and public affairs. While visiting college campuses across the nation, the former congressmen provide students with insights into the realities of American democracy by sharing their real-life experiences as candidates and office holders. Two members, one democrat and one republican, are assigned to each session to deliver an important message about bipartisan cooperation. Students are challenged to become involved in the legislative process and learn about the value of public service from men and women who have served in Congress. For more information about the Congress to Campus event in Murray call Dr. Farouk Umar, chair of the department of government, law and international affairs, at (270) 809-2699, or email farouk.umar@murraystate.edu.