History – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Voices of Resilience: Closing the Conference with Purpose

Written By: Isis Hollis, Robin Houghton, and Allie Plunk

Throughout the conference, LEAP Ambassadors have had the opportunity to learn about policy from esteemed legislators and guest speakers, but on our last day, we got to experience a much more personal session, hearing from activist Elizabeth Smart, the CSG Justice Center on mental health, and attending the closing dinner.

Elizabeth Smart

Before we heard from today’s remarkable keynote speaker, there were a few mentions and introductions from Chair Senator Todd Weiler (UT) and Chair-Prospect Senator Löki Tobin (AK). Together, they previewed next year’s CSG West meeting, which will be taking place in Alaska! Following a short “sizzle reel” for the state, Chair Senator Todd Weiler (UT) introduced Elizabeth Smart.

Smart was abducted from her bedroom at the age of 14 and survived nine months in captivity before being rescued. Though it was law enforcement that put her captors behind bars, there would be no story to tell had it not been for her resilience. It was incredibly inspiring to hear her story, and how she pushed through the darkness around her by focusing on positivity. Even though terrible things were happening to her, she reminded herself constantly throughout her abduction that things could always be worse. It was this strategy, as well as remembering the unconditional love of her family, that kept her going.

Smart also touched on the incredible difficulty she had finding value within herself during and following her captivity. Because she hadn’t been taught the difference between consensual sex and rape, she felt like she had done something horrible. It took her a long time to be able to rationalize that she hadn’t been the one to do anything wrong. I appreciated her candor and that she made it clear that recovery after something so terrifying was a long process.

Now an advocate for safety and sexual assault victims, Smart has used what happened to her for as much good as she can. This resilience and compassion is something we all admired. She was an incredible speaker, and we felt honored to have been able to listen to her.

CSG Justice Center

Following Elizabeth Smart’s moving speech, we attended a session on the CSG Justice Center, and their approach to mental health advocacy. Ernest Stevens, former San Antonio police officer and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member, current Managing Director of Behavioral Health at the CSG Justice Center, Madeleine Dardeau, CSG Justice Center State Initiatives Program Director, and Leanne Huff, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Act specialist, had a panel discussion about the implementation and development of MCOTs, as well as CIT Trainings and help line 988.

The key point was the pressing need for more CIT trained teams to go out and address people with mental health problems. Stevens stated that if you send an untrained officer to deal with mental health crises “there will always be a gun.” Many people struggling with mental health have been shot or killed by officers unable to deal with their problems, and this is exactly what the CSG Criminal Justice center is trying to stop. At the core of this session was a statistic: officers spend only 8 hours learning about mediation techniques, which is something they are supposed to use every day, as opposed to a whopping 20 hours learning to use a gun, which many officers only discharge a few times.

Another factor in this issue is the stigmatization of mental health problems. If we can make people unafraid to get the help they need, then we won’t have as many suicides or overdoses. This issue is becoming something that is particularly close to a few of our hearts, and we hope that in the future we can be a part of the solution.

Dinner

We ended the conference with fun in a closing dinner hosted at the Natural History Museum of Utah, which was just as beautiful of a venue as it was informative. After ascending the stairs, we were greeted with a wall of fossils, crystals, flora, and taxidermy that stretched from floor to ceiling, immediately captivating several Ambassadors.

The dinner also featured a local band, by the name of The Bombshell Flowers. A high-energy indie rock group, their layered harmonies added a relaxed, yet tasteful atmosphere.

For dinner, we had tri-tip steak, cauliflower, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and salad, followed by desserts of fruit tarts and banana pudding.

While the dinner was good, it was the museum that was truly memorable. We spent a lot of time exploring the exhibits, each highlighting an important aspect of Utah’s natural history. We even discovered that Allie is likely descended from the Allosaurus, which is where she gets her t-rex nature!

As we left, we managed to grab a shot of the breathtaking views from the museum terrace.

From dinosaurs to rock formations to earthquakes, Utah’s Natural History Museum was a wonderful place to close out the conference.

Conclusion

Our final conference day left us with a lot to think about, looking at the world through new eyes. We all admired the incredible work people like Elizabeth Smart and the CSG Criminal Justice Center are doing for those struggling with mental health and sexual assault.

From Signed Books to Political Insights: A Night with Mike Pence

Written by: Ruthie Passmore

Even with summer kicking into gear, LEAP students have managed to stay active in furthering their understanding of public affairs! Recently, we were honored to hear former Vice President Mike Pence speak on his new book, What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the Conservative Conscience at an event hosted by The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston.

In his book, Pence advocates for enduring conservative principles over the appeal of big-government populism within the Republican Party, and we were all thrilled to receive signed copies at the start of the event.

The night began with Sandija Bayot, the Chief Development Officer of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, introducing Kenneth Tubman, the Chairman and President of PPA Resources, who offered a glimpse into Mike Pence’s “multifaceted” career. Pence took the stage alongside exceptional Ronan O’Malley, Chief Programs Officer, who served as the moderator for this event.

Pence opened by highlighting the foundation 1960 Conservative text, The Conscience of a Conservative, by Barry Goldwater, which inspired his decision to write his new book. He discussed how politics in America are going through a dramatic change, and brought up modern marginalization of traditional values.

Pence reflected on his role as a member of the Republican Party, discussing how he went from being a Democrat to a Conservative after realizing that he wanted the values he grew up learning from his grandparents for himself. Pence also spoke about the importance of economic freedom and how he thinks that it is “morally wrong” to look at his children and grandchildren and say to them, “the debt is your problem, not mine.”

As the audience portion of the discussion began, Pence was asked what advice he would give to young people interested in politics. His answer was both simple and impactful, especially as students with an interest in the law: “Show up, don’t wait to get asked.”

Wrapping up, Pence reminded us that the American people are some of the most caring and innovative people, stating that America deserves to have a government just as good as its citizens.

The event ended on a memorable note as we were able to meet and take a photo with Mike Pence, who expressed his confidence in our generation by calling us the “future of politics.”

We concluded the evening with a delicious dinner and dessert from Katz’s Never Kloses, where we shared our thoughts and reflections from the event, a wonderful end to a fantastic and informative evening.

Rethinking Iran with Seyed Mousavian

LEAP students had the unusual opportunity to hear from a former high-ranking Iranian official while the US is at war with the country it believes to be an active supporter of worldwide terrorism. Thanks to the World Affairs Council, LEAP students were able to hear divergent views–sometimes sharply so–on Iran’s support of terror, nuclear energy program, and other activities that affect international relations.

Following an introduction by WAC CEO Maryanne Maldonado…

…Ronan O’Malley began a moderated discussion with Mousavian. The former Ambassador is working on a book about the United States’ policy toward Iran from the perspective of Presidents Obama (negotiations), Trump (America First), Biden (benign neglect), and Trump (War).

In addition to having served in high-ranking government positions, Mousavian’s credentials also include an MA in International Relations from the University of Tehran and a PhD in International Relations from the University of Kent. He currently teaches at Princeton University.

Mousavian made several assertions, and at times, he made them forcefully:

Iran has been the most inspected country in the world, and these inspections, at least since 2015, have not uncovered any evidence that Iran has made an effort to make nuclear weapons;
Israel is the “elephant in the room,” and unless discussions about Israel are included in Iran-US discussions, no real or permanent progress will be made;
He, Seyed Mousavian, is not guilty of any crimes, nor does he support terrorism.

At least one person in the room objected to the latter point forcefully. In fact, he stood up and scolded the former Ambassador before he was removed by WAC staff and security.

For his part, O’Malley did his due diligence in digging a bit deeper into some of Mousavian’s claims–particularly about the brutality of Iran’s regime–but Mousavian gave no ground. Indeed, at times his claims were sweeping, as when he suggested that the UN always gave clean marks on its inspections of Iran (see, for example, this article).

In the end, such questions are not likely to be answered in an hour-long discussion, but for the open-minded, the discussion led to new facts to be considered, even as it may have reinforced some preexisting beliefs.

Although all of us took away different thoughts about the Iran-US War, we all agreed that this type of event is what the university experience should be: exposure to new ideas by informed speakers on provocative topics.

Mary’z Mediterranean Cuisine

We discussed some of these topics at dinner following the event. In LEAP fashion, we chose a restaurant that specialized in mediterranean cuisine, allowing us to further explore Iranian culture. We chose Mary’z, which turned out to be a wise choice.

Beginning with a sampler appetizer, we were able to explore dolmades (excellent), kibbi, sfeeha (very good), and falafel (also excellent).

For dinner, we had various dishes, including beef shwarma, chicken kebab, kafta kebab, and beef kebab, and a felafel plate. In typical LEAP fashion, we sampled from each other’s plates, and there was general consensus that the kafta and the chicken kebabs were the best among an excellent sampling of dishes.

For many students, it was their first time having Mediterranean food, and even if they had enjoyed this culinary tradition, they were able to sample a new dish.

The excellent food capped off an evening of education, exploration, lively debate, and good company, all LEAP hallmarks!

Becker Brings Humor, Inspiration to SHSU

Written by Allie Plunk

Starting off an insightful day with George H.W. Bush’s post-presidency chief of
Staff, Jean Becker, we met at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences building here on campus for a book talk and signing!

Though some of us had attended a previous event on her book tour, everyone was enthralled by Becker’s charismatic and engaging discussion of her newest book, Don’t Tell the President, co-authored by Tom Collamore. We listened eagerly as she discussed accounts of several of the stories of advance workers– the people who make sure that events go as planned– across presidencies from Lyndon B. Johnson to Barack Obama.

After several humorous anecdotes about the less-than-elegant side to life while working for the White House (like getting peed on at a phone booth while talking to her boss)…

…Becker closed on a more somber note. She reminded us that Americans have to pull together to make progress, and she highlighted the way that–despite their differences–Presidents Bush and Clinton worked together to raise funds for hurricane relief and that President Obama stopped in to Houston, days before President Bush’s death, to thank him for his service to the country.

This serves as a reminder of what our future both as a people and as a country, should look like: putting aside differences and helping each other where we can.

Following the book talk, Becker generously agreed to sign copies of her new book! Students lined up eagerly, discussing the fascinating stories she had shared. We were all very excited and grateful to have had her with us at Sam Houston once again.

Past as Prologue: An Evening with Jon Meacham

By Allie Plunk

Saturday, February 28th was an eventful day for LEAP students! We travelled to the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston for a book talk on Pulitzer Prize Winner Jon Meacham’s new anthology American Struggle, which explores the history of politics.

Introduced by World Affairs Council CEO Maryanne Maldonado…

…and moderated by Chief Programs Officer Ronan O’Malley…

…Meacham discussed American political history, getting into the nitty gritty of the division of party lines with witty humor and anecdotes.

In addition to the United States’ religious roots, he explored the impact of African Americans as far back as the Civil War, such as Frederick Douglass, on the development of political ideology– more specifically, the creation of the Republican party.

Meacham had several interesting points on the distinction between an “anti-slavery” and “abolitionist” person in the 1800s. These two ideas were once very different, yet today, most Americans would consider them the same thing. This kind of trend is frequent in politics, as ideology and morality evolves. He also unpacked the lasting effect of the World Wars, Great Depression, and Cold War, describing the general idea of modern American politics as “a vigorous debate, from 1932 to 2016, between [the ideas of] FDR and Reagan.”

He also reflected on the development of factions within the two major political parties, such as the John Birchers of the 1950s. On today’s politics, he determined that while we do live in a time of political upheaval due to party extremism, this “crisis” is not unprecedented. America’s political history has been littered with events that were perhaps more destabilizing than what we experience today, such as the Great Depression, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and the fight for Civil Rights in the 60s. These events shook Americans to their core. While today’s Americans may feel like they exist in a space of political turmoil, the moral and financial roots of a nation were shaken during these events. He suggested that history serves not as a roadmap, but as a diagnostic tool, helping citizens understand how democratic institutions have survived moments of extremism in the past.

Following the talk, we were surprised to see Jean Becker, whose book event we had attended at the Bush School of Government and Public Service just days earlier. After a brief conversation and a quick selfie, we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to Meacham– a memorable end to a day that brought American political history to life.

Jean Becker and Tom Collamore Discuss Advance Work in ‘Don’t Tell the President’

The Bush Foundation: Jean Becker and Tom Collamore &

In a special event hosted by the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, authors Jean Becker and Tom Collamore took the stage to discuss their new book, “Don’t Tell the President.” And as with all Bush Foundation events, the setting and the audience proved to be as interesting as the main attraction.

That was certainly the case this time, as we ran into Secretary Andrew Card…

…and photographer Mark Burns before even entering the auditorium! Both were generous with their time, discussing their favorite stories concerning President Bush.

Of course, they were also there to see Jean Becker, and while we may not be members of the Jean Becker Fan Club….

….we make the opportunity to see her speak.

Don’t Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance

Alice Gonzales Yates, President of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation…

…introduced the event, and it was a pleasant and unexpected surprise when she introduced us!

The most enjoyable part of the evening, of course, was hearing from Jean Becker and Tom Collamore–and contributing authors Robbie Aiken, Jay Allison, and Greg Jenkins–discuss a blend of behind-the-scenes chaos and the concomitant responsibility that comes from preparing the nation’s most important figure for public engagements.

The engagements discussed ranged from the picayune to the momentous, from an imposter surreptitiously boarding the press plane for a presidential trip to getting just the right setting to support Solidarity in Poland with Lech Walesa and the destruction of the Berlin Wall in Germany.

This was the perfect pairing with our visit to the Bush Presidential Library earlier in the day, providing insights into some of the history we had observed while also reminding us of the importance of event planning, even in our own small events.

Adding to the fun of the evening was seeing Ms. Becker be recognized as an honorary member of the TAMU Singing Cadets, who sang “America the Beautiful” as an honor to the United States as part of the country’s 250th anniversary of independence.

Tour: The Foundation Offices

Following the event, we approach Ms. Yates to thank her, and she graciously spent more time with us, even as she had additional work to do. During the conversation, she offered to give us a tour of their offices, tell us more about the Foundation, and let us see the “Bush Apartment.”

We had already had a wonderful day: seeing the Bush Presidential Library, hearing from Kathryn Meyers at the Bush School of Public Service, and attending the Becker and Collamore event. So, the opportunity for something on top of all that was certainly unexpected, and while we didn’t want to delay Ms. Yates from her work any further, this was an opportunity we couldn’t decline.

Ms. Yates provided an overview of the Foundation’s work, while also givinga wonderful tour of the Foundation’s space. It was a beautiful space, one that has been preserved since the President’s passing, and one that is still used for myriad purposes. It was an honor to be given the tour, and it was the perfect way to end our time at the Bush Presidential Library.

Dinner

While the tour was an ideal cap to our day at the Bush Library, we all believed that dinner would be the perfect way to end our; accordingly, we headed to Shiraz Shish Kabob. On LEAP field trips, we do our best to eat at restaurants themed with our learning opportunities, and after spending a day at the Bush Library–where the Middle East was much on display–we enjoyed diverse fare from one of our favorite College Station places.

For many, it was the first time to try Baklava or Shawarma or even Hummus, and it was met with great approval.

With full stomachs, on a high of a fantastic nine-hour learning sprint, and a renewed spirit of public service, we returned to SHSU.

Public Service Lessons from George H.W. Bush

By Isis Hollis

Public service is something LEAP students know well, but that knowledge was reinforced, expanded, and reaffirmed during a recent visit to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The Museum, with its emphasis on President Bush’s long career of service, was ready-made for the eleven students on this LEAP trip, and the subject matter and the mix of students made this one of the best LEAP field trips in recent memory.

The experience started with a tour from a lovely SHSU alumna who guided us to the museum theatre, where we got to watch a short film on the highlights of President Bush’s career.

Following the movie, we went through a chronological tour of Bush’s life, which in many ways, is a tour of the 20th century. His early life was highlighted by photos of family, including his father, a US Senator from Connecticut.

His Navy career was strikingly told through video, excerpts of letters, and a replica of the Navy TBM Avenger that he piloted in WWII–and in which he was shot down.

The letters lining the museum walls gave us a glimpse into how 20-year-old Bush dealt with such a life-changing event and who was important to him during that time of his life.

Arguably, the most important person in President Bush’s life, his wife, Barbara Bush, had many portions of the museum dedicated just to her wonderful work. Her efforts and contributions to literacy programs such as the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy are remembered through the many panels detailing just how many lives she changed with her avid community work.

The many campaigns and careers leading to President Bush’s time in office were another prominent aspect in the museum. Details about his role as Director of Central Intelligence for the CIA, an often overlooked aspect, offered a sneak peek into the intricacies of dealing with classified information.

This foreign-policy bent was reinforced by Bush’s time as Ambassador to China and Ambassador to the UN, the latter exhibit gave us a chance to pose with the man himself (or at least his statue).

The replica of the Oval Office seemed most popular, with nearly everyone taking a turn to sit where the president would, and pretending to answer the phone or read important papers.

Further into the museum, we found that President Bush’s term in office is remembered by all the good he did for the people of not only America, but for those in Kuwait, Germany, and other places across the globe as well. With pieces of the Berlin Wall standing tall over us, we felt the impact of all the work that went into tearing it down.

Sand from the land of Kuwait, alongside the war tools turned into art, left a lasting impact on us, giving us an understanding of the many points of view Bush was able to incorporate into his foreign policy vision.

Each of us took something different from the Museum. Luke, Brianne, and Michelle spent more time reviewing Bush’s military life; Mikaela, as a Model UN student, focused on the international scope of the Museum; Gavin, a history student, soaked it all in; Zackery, a political junkie, enjoyed the electoral exhibits; and all of us enjoyed learning more about the major events from 1941-1993, and beyond.

The Library reminded all of us the importance of public service–as Bush referred to it, a “Noble Service”–while also reminding us that doing good in the world requires taking risks, making sacrifices, and working hard–all good lessons.

LEAP at the River Oaks Theatre: A Night with Nosferatu and the Invincible Czars

Nine students and former students with The Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics (LEAP) attended a screening of the 1922 silent horror film Nosferatu at the historic River Oaks Theatre in Houston, Texas. While this outing certainly carried the spirit of the post-Halloween season and the eerie charm associated with early cinematic horror, it also reflected the Center’s continued effort to expand students’ engagement with the humanities, exposure to diverse forms of storytelling, and expanded cultural horizons.

The River Oaks Theatre itself provided a fitting environment. Its historic charm and architecture evoke a theatrical experience that captures some of the magic of silent and golden-age cinema.

Enhancing the screening was a live musical performance by The Invincible Czars, who created the film’s soundtrack live on stage with instrumentation ranging from classical to experimental. Their approach complemented the film with sounds that provided humor, subtle tension, and dramatic intensity.

After the screening, the LEAP students were able to meet the band members and take photographs with the band, while also purchasing movie posters.

While the subject matter — a vampire narrative involving shadows, dread, and ancient evil — is unquestionably spooky, the evening itself reinforced a central purpose of LEAP: experiential learning that blends the artistic, the cultural, and the civic.

Movies like Nosferatu do not just entertain; they help illuminate how societies imagine danger, power, and the supernatural.

This outing offered students a unique opportunity to experience history, art, and performance simultaneously — in a way that was appropriately seasonal, academically rich, and wonderfully haunting.

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