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Tag: Susan Rice

LEAP LEADs: Opening Session

By Madison Villarrial

Upon entering this semester, things were looking rather grim due to the current state of our country as we continue to battle a harsh pandemic and civil unrest across the country. The only thing that really had me excited upon entering the semester was LEAP Leads and the opportunities that my peers and I were about to receive. Finally, September 2nd came, and we got to begin a program we hope will be amazing.

As soon as the night began, the energy was already invigorating. Being around students who have similar goals and work ethics was extremely refreshing and humbling. Everyone was  easy to talk to and we all got along from the get go.

We started off with a short introduction from Professor Yawn, which was basically a rundown of what to expect from the program and what he hopes we get out of it.  The program is designed to introduce us to the community (University and local government communities), the structure of large organization, and the styles of leadership and structures used to navigate these structures.

We also were introduced to each other and talked about our career goals. Most of us want to be lawyers, however there was a fun mix of law enforcement and Chief of Staff type goals also.

Then, Ms. Fors led us into some icebreakers, so we could get to know the people we would be spending a lot of time with over the course of this semester.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs

These were quite interesting as we got to learn about everyone’s personality and interests, as well as a few silly tidbits. For example, we learned that Jayelynn really wants a new car and that Iriyana has a weakness for strange cuisines.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs, Ava Garrett

Our food from Carbonero then arrived and we got to chow down. I personally had never had this type of food and was nothing short of delighted at how delicious my Tacos al Carbon were.

During dinner, we tuned into the opening night of the Texas Tribune Festival, introduced by Evan Smith….

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs, Texas Tribune Festival, Evan Smith

…and featuring Susan Rice, the keynote speaker.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADsSHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs, Texas Tribune Festival, Susan Rice

Susan Rice is a Democratic policy advisor as well as a former ambassador for the United Nations under the Obama administration. Notably, she was also on the short list for Vice President under Joe Biden and will possibly be Secretary of State or Attorney General if Biden wins the upcoming election. The session was characterized by her disdain at the current state of the country, and how she believes the root of the problem is a president that encourages violence and hatred in order to further his political agenda. She also spoke about how she herself would take on the issues of our country by increasing testing/ contact tracing in terms of COVID-19 as well as increasing “national service” in order to overall reunite the country and move on from the hardships 2020 has brought.

Interestingly, the LEAP Ambassadors had met her in person…

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

…but with the exception of Quinn…

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

…this evening’s virtual introduction was our first time to meet her.  Overall, her session was exciting and inspiring to me, as I dream to one day be like her.

The first night of LEAP Leads left me, and I hope my peers, feeling extremely hopeful and excited for the rest of the semester. The other things we have coming up have so much promise to be amazing, and in the wake of the pandemic, I couldn’t ask for much more.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP LEADs

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on September 5, 2020September 7, 2020Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, Food, PoliticsTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Evan Smith, LEAP Center, LEAP LEADs, SHSU, Susan Rice, Texas Tribune FestivalLeave a comment on LEAP LEADs: Opening Session

WAC: Susan Rice

LEAP Students attended an event hosted by World Affairs Council of Greater Houston that featured Susan Rice, former U.S. National Security Advisor for President Obama and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Rice served the Obama Administration from 2013-2017, as Ambassador to the UN from 2009-2013 and served the Clinton Administration on the National Security Council. Located at the Ballroom at Bayou Place in the Theater District of Houston, the venue was very nice and it was a packed house! We really enjoy attending WAC events and we were honored when Sandija Bayot…

 


…who introduced the Speaker, also asked us to stand and be recognized as students from Sam Houston State University. 

In a discussion moderated by WAC’s Ronan O’Malley, Ambassador Rice shared with the audience her experiences growing up in Washington DC, her impressive career, and her recently published book, Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

Although her childhood had its difficulties and she faced a lot of obstacles, she said it gave her tenacity and shows that it does not matter how you grew up, but how you grow from it.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

She then moved chronologically through her career, sharing important events in our nation’s history that she had a front row seat on such as Black Hawk Down and Benghazi. She even discussed some of the more political and difficult times in her career, as when she decided to be a part of Obama’s campaign instead of Hillary Clinton’s. She was told she was committing professional suicide. Ambassador Rice proved to be insightful on the Obama campaign and what it was like working for him. She also noted that she felt that President Obama was “the smartest person in the room” and always took time to consider important decisions, claiming he always took responsibility for events whether the outcome was good or bad.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
Rice_8_Web
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

 

As with almost all of our events, we brought a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to the event, so we really appreciated how bi-partisan she was. She explained that we needed to just stop and get to know each other so that we can get along and get things done.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

I remember her saying that “it is really hard to hate someone that you know well.” She was a great speaker, and those of us who had heard her speak at Texas Tribune Festival enjoyed her even more the second time!

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

Following the event, we waited in a quick line to have our book signed by Ambassador Rice, who addressed each book personally.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

As always, LEAP appreciated the hospitality of WAC and its staff, and thoroughly enjoyed the event!

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, World Affairs Council Houston, Susan Rice

 After the event, we walked a block over to Birraporetti’s Italian Restaurant. When we walked inside, we were welcomed by a live cover band!

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers

Our waiter, Felix, was fun and friendly, just like the vibes in the restaurant. Monday night is “happy hour” featuring, among other things, $5 appetizers that we took advantage of! We ordered calamari, spinach and artichoke dip, stuffed mushrooms, and bruschetta for our appetizers. Not long after we cleaned off the plates of the appetizers, our dinner arrived. I always forget how large dinner portions are at Italian restaurants, and I could have shared my plate with the whole table. Among the entrees at our table were Almond Encrusted Chicken Scaloppini, the Marco Pollo, and Pasta Poretti.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers
SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers

Despite Felix’s best efforts to encourage us to get an after-dinner sweet, we were all simply too full to order dessert! 

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers

Author mikeyawnPosted on November 17, 2019Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Food, Law, PoliticsTags Birraporetti's, Grateful Geezers, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, SHSU, Susan Rice, World Affairs Council HoustonLeave a comment on WAC: Susan Rice

Tackling the Texas Tribune Festival: LEAP’s Day 2 in Austin

On the second day of the Texas Tribune Festival, the LEAP team attending came together, divided, and attended a multitude and variety of sessions (together and in smaller groups), while critiquing the panels, the speakers, and the venues, over the course of the day, and over a series of coffee breaks and meals at some distinctly Austin establishments…

Student Breakfast with Jennifer Palmieri (Annie Jamarik)

The Student Breakfast at CapMetro Project Connect Community Office, hosted by the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, had special guest speaker Jennifer Palmieri, former White House Director of Communications (2011 to 2015, under President Barack Obama), as well as Director of Communications for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. As we ate breakfast tacos (like true Austin natives), Ms. Palmieri shared her unique perspective from working on a presidential campaign and applied her knowledge and experience to thoughts on the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Jennifer Palmieri

She was sure to stress that, while still early in the race, Senator Warren was the current candidate to watch due to her steady climb in the polls.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest

During Q&A, when asked for her advice to students entering the world of politics, Ms. Palmieri passed on wisdom she received from the Secret Service: “Listen to criticism, process it, move forward, and draw fire.”

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Jennifer Palmieri

Ed and the Feds (Miranda Estrada)

This discussion centered on how our federal and state agencies can work collaboratively on building education policy more effectively; the panel was comprised of moderator Sarah Darville (editor of Chalkbeat), Susana Martinez (former governor of New Mexico), and Jack Markell (former governor of Delaware).

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Susana Martinez, Jack Markell, Sarah Darville

Both Martinez and Markell placed education as a high priority during their tenure in office; however, they used different approaches to improving the quality of education in their respective states. Martinez believes in the importance of engaging parents by using transparency in giving grades to the school their children attended, and emphasized a ranking system of schools and their teachers is during her administration. She stressed the important roles teachers play as gatekeepers of information, and that they should be assessed on that. Markell used a different approach, instead opting for measuring academic growth of a student versus their proficiency.  Both agreed, though, that regardless of the method, there are always unintended consequences and no one plan is perfect. Overall, we learned more about how leaders can work to improve their educational systems in ways that best fit the needs of their citizens — and children.

Governor Martinez proved particularly gracious afterward, posing with photos and discussing education policy additionally.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Susana Martinez

Break! On our walk between session venues, we popped in to The Coffeehouse at Caroline.  Try the chocolate & cherry or cheese scones – depending on whether you want a sweet or savory bite – or the chocolate zucchini bread; or, well, anything.  It was all good, from the smoothie, to the coffee & tea, to the wide selection of baked goods!

Civic Enragement (Esmeralda Mata)

We all agreed that the Civic Enragement (“How progressive politics are turning citizens into warriors and cities into battlegrounds.”) panel was the most controversial of all!  The panel was substantially synergized in voicing their opinions on issues ranging from local to state and federal, discussing not only specific policy, but also the challenge in cultivating a good relationship between city and state leaders, given the difference between conservative and liberal governance styles and implementations.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Judge Susan Eckhardt, Alicia Glen, Jerry Morales, Alan Webber, Matt Yglasias

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt’s opening comments, on the importance of being able to disagree agreeably, and in recognizing that an opponent can be your best ally at a local level by coming together in finding issues and solutions that can be exported to a federal level, did not parlay into how she will be remembered.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Judge Susan Eckhardt, Alicia Glen, Jerry Morales, Alan Webber, Matt Yglasias

She argued that state legislators do not provide county government with enough aid, as compared to a city governments, and focused on some particular ordinances.  After noting that state legislators hate Austin (“because we are so successfull”), she focused on Austin’s tree ordinance, noting that that, “Governor Abbott hates trees because one fell on him,” a quote that left our group wondering all day why an elected official would agree to be on a panel designed to bring people together, only to say something so callous.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Judge Susan Eckhardt

As a counterpoint, Midland Mayor Jerry Morales discussed sustainable growth, detailing jobs and other opportunities Midland has created with cohesive support from not only the state but also the federal government.  And while most of the panelists (and the audience) agreed that the responsibility of enforcing immigration laws is the responsibility of the federal government and not a city, Mayor Morales opposed this discussion, too, stating that every city should protect their citizens.  In general, the difference between rural and urban viewpoints of Texas was definitely highlighted among the diverse panelists at this session.

Break!  We ambled over to the TribFest “Hub,” the place for registration, light snacks and water bottle refills, and book signings.  Stations were set up with a number of books offered by the various speakers at TribFest.  We all picked out books, some of the group getting multiples, a decision we all lauded later when we were able to proceed directly to the signing line instead of first having to go through the buying line!

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Susan Rice

From Within (Annie Jamarik)

Next up was a panel of experts who discussed how our country fights (or should fight) domestic terrorism. The panel included Robert Chesney, Director of the Strauss Center for International Security and Law and Associate Dean at the UT School of Law; Lisa Monaco, former White House Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor; Mary McCord, former acting Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice; and Nick Rasmussen, Former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. David Priess, former CIA officer, author of “The President’s Book of Secrets” and the Chief Operating Officer of the Lawfare Institute, was a model moderator.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest

One of the items that really stood out was the specific qualifications a violent attack must have to be classified as a domestic terrorist attack.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest

Chesney explained one of the gaps in federal statutes regarding domestic terrorism, in that requirements are so specific that the weapon used in an attack determines if an attacker could be charged at the federal level – or not.  (Explosives = yes; guns = no.) During Q&A, one question referred to monitoring and regulating online public forums (social media platforms) for hate speech and rhetoric. The panel all agreed that, because these online forums are owned by private companies, the government cannot regulate material, so it is up to the private companies to regulate themselves.  We would have loved to hear more on this, but the clock had run out.

Break!  We had to make a game time change to our lunch plans.  The line for our first choice stretched throughout the restaurant and out the door, so we dropped back and punted to an Austin-based chain, P. Terry’s.  After some quick burgers and lemonade, and a brief respite from the sweltering heat, we maneuvered our way through the crowded city blocks.

Points of Light (Sawyer Massie)

In spite of the relatively short walks between venues, we still took a moment to linger and appreciate the air conditioning before proceeding into the main auditorium.  Despite taking our seats only moments before the panel began, only the first three rows were occupied.  It soon occurred to us that the Pete Buttigieg session at the Paramount more than likely took a toll on attendance for this and other panels held at the same time. Unfortunately for Mayor Pete fans – but fortunately for us – they missed out on a wholesome and enriching discussion on the legacies of George and Barbara Bush.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, George P. Bush, Susan Page, Michael Beschloss

The discussion – aptly entitled “Points of Light” – was moderated by Washington Post columnist Karen Tumulty and featured Land Commissioner (and Bush “grandson”) George P. Bush, presidential author Michael Beschloss, and Susan Page, USA Today’s Washington Bureau Chief and Barbara Bush biographer.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, George P. Bush, Susan Page, Michael Beschloss

Much like previous panels, this one followed the Q&A format with audience questions toward the end. Likewise, current events and other inevitable topics in this heated political climate were discussed; however, this panel took an unusual turn in that it became emotional.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, George P. Bush, Susan Page, Michael Beschloss

The panelists opened up by explaining how America had to reassess its values following the deaths of former First Lady Barbara Bush, and President Bush, Sr., then delved into the inner machinations of their relationships to one another – and specifically, their last moments seeing one another.  Page recalled that after Barbara Bush was placed into hospice care – and knew these were her last moments – she reached out to her husband’s hand at the bedside and told him “I’m not worried about you, George.” This was her granting permission to him that he could live his life and she’d die knowing he’d be okay.  By the end, some of us were misty-eyed; it was touching to hear this from someone who got to spend so much time interviewing them.

After the panel, we were also fortunate enough to snap a quick photo with George P. Bush with a few minutes to spare before queuing up for our last panel of the day.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, George P. Bush

 

One-on-One with Susan Rice (Miranda Estrada)

 We did not score seats at the front of the packed venue for former UN Ambassador and National Security Advisor, Susan Rice. Our moderator for the evening, Margaret Talev, worked with Mrs. Rice during her time with the Obama administration. Their “conversation” started with the topic of the day, the impeachment inquiry on President Donald Trump.  Mrs. Rice stressed the importance of policy action being used only for the best interest of the United States as a whole and not for a single person.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Susan Rice

Mrs. Rice also spoke with the audience about her new book, “Tough Love,” reading an excerpt that covered a horrible yet funny-now experience. Her book is broken into the major parts of her life: early childhood, early years in government, time as UN Ambassador, and then as National Security Advisor. Mrs. Rice felt the need to write the book as a reintroduction of herself to the public – to address her feelings and thoughts regarding her treatment in the years following Benghazi that she was made out to be a monster.  In her career she was used to speaking for the United States; this book allowed her to speak for herself and be her own advocate, champion, and spokesperson.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest, Susan Rice

Break!  With the panels over, and a short refresh break under our belts, we did some sightseeing.  The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, dedicated to the former Texas Governor, is home to North America’s largest bat (specifically, the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat) population.  We lined up like good little tourists and watched for a while the colony head out for their dinner.  Then we headed to ours!

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Austin Texas, Texas Tribune Festival, Tribfest

Dinner at Kerbey Lane Café  (Sawyer Massie)

After a long day, there was no question that we were famished and looking forward to dinner at an Austin staple: Kerbey Lane Café.  We slumped in our seats and indolently chatted from our slouched positions. Suffice it to say, we had expended all our energy on TribFest.  Everyone perked up, however, when platters of food arrived.  Plates of bacon and eggs, “green” mac-n-cheese, French toast and, in a nod to the calendar’s claim of the Fall season, pumpkin pancakes. We leisurely ate and recapped trip highlights (so far!) while enjoying relaxing in a comforting atmosphere, ending this day in preparation for an even longer day ahead of us.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Tribfest, Kerbey Lane Cafe

Author mikeyawnPosted on September 30, 2019Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, Food, Fun, Jobs, Politics, TravelTags Austin Texas, George P. Bush, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Michael Beschloss, SHSU, Susan Rice, Texas Tribune, TribfestLeave a comment on Tackling the Texas Tribune Festival: LEAP’s Day 2 in Austin

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