2008:
"Sicko" Seminar on Universal Health
Care
On Wednesday, February 20th, the College Democrats hosted a Seminar discussing Universal Healthcare,
the topic of the documentary, Sicko. Donna Smith, one of the stars from Sicko, and Dr. Mark Meaney of the National Institute
for Patient's Rights graciously came to speak and answer questions on the topic. They presented the depth and extent
of the US healthcare crises, patient and caregiver rights, as well as what we can do post-Sicko.
Dems Welcome
the Comedy Troupe the Capital Steps:
|
| The Capitol Steps at UMD |
After successfully carrying through a record Get
Out the Vote (GOTV) effort, the College Democrats co-sponsored with SEE to host the comedy stilings of the Capital Steps.
The Capital Steps preformed some of their most well known songs as well as some new material. Favorites included, "G-d
Bless My SUV" and "I Like Big Cuts".
College Dems
host Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama:
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| Senator Barack Obama at UMD - - photo courtesy Ron Sachs/CNP |
On February 11th, the College Democrats hosted a
packed rally for Senator Barack Obama, who is running for President of the United States. The "Stand for Change"
rally was held in the Comcast Center on campus where nearly 15,000 people arrived to hear Sen. Obama. Obama came
to Maryland in anticipation of the Chesapeake primary on February 12th.
Dems host
Former First Daughter, Chelsea Clinton:
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| Chelsea Clinton at UMD - - photo courtesy Ron Sachs/CNP |
On Sunday February 10th the College
Democrats hosted Chelsea Clinton, former first daughter, who was campaigning on behalf of her mother's candidacy for President
of the United States. Ms. Clinton spoke about Senator Hillary Clinton's experience in the Senate and answered questions
concerning issues ranging from farms to healthcare. The event was structured as pure question and answer in a coffee
house setting in the Food Court in the Stamp Student Union. Nearly 300 students were in attendence.
College Dems host
Presidential Candidate Forum with the Student Government:
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| Del. Barnes & Del. Reznik debate the Presidential candidates |
The College Democrats were proud to welcome Delegate Ben Barnes and Delegate Kirill Reznik to campus to speak on behalf
of the two Democratic candidates for President on February 7th. Del. Barnes represented the campaign of Hillary Clinton,
which Delegate Reznik spoke on behalf of Barack Obama's campaign. The event was also sponsored by the Student Government
and the College Republicans, but the Democrats came out ahead, with the vast majority of attendees supporting either Senator
Clinton or Senator Obama.
UMD Dems host Congressman
John Sarbanes (MD-03):
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| Congressman John Sarbanes speaks with the College Dems |
On February 6th, the College Democrats hosted Congressman John Sarbanes on campus. Rep. Sarbanes spoke to the group
about his experiences in Washington and his role as a "Super-Delegate" in the election for the Democratic nominee
for President of the United States. Sarbanes visited the College Democrats only one day after the "Super-Tuesday"
primary. Sarbanes also touched on the current steroids hearings in the Committee on Government Reform, on which he serves.
2007:
UMD College Dems host Comptroller
Peter Franchot:
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| Comptroller Peter Franchot - - photo courtesy gazette.net |
On December 5th, the College Democrats
braved the winter weather to hear from Comptroller Peter Franchot. Comptroller Franchot joined the College Democrats
after the tiring special session to resolve the budget deficit. Franchot discussed the largest issue of the special
session: slot machines, in great detail. He spoke about his stance on the issue and explained the referendum
on November's ballot.
College Dems Participate
in MaryPirg Debate:
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| College Democrats Participate in the MaryPirg Debate Acting as Five of the Presidential Candidates |
The College Democrats participated in a candidates forum sponsored by MaryPirg, an environmental and civic activism group
on campus. At the debate, members of the College Democrats acted as some of the different candidates running in the
2008 election. The debate was moderated by a familiar face to our group, Professor Karol Soltan, who spoke as part of
the group's faculty speakers series earlier this month.
College Democrats
Host Congressman Al Wynn (MD-04):
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| The College Democrats with Congressman Al Wynn (MD-04) after the Nov. 28th Meeting |
On November 28th, the College Democrats hosted Congressman Albert Wynn in College Park. Congressman Wynn currently serves
on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee where he is chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
Congressman Wynn spoke to the College Democrats about getting involved and the importance of youth voting in the next election,
while also discussing the daily operations of Congress and combating legislative gridlock. Wynn is the third member
of Congress to meet with the UMD College Democrats.
College Dems Meet
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD):
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| The College Democrats Volunteers with Senator Ben Cardin |
The College Democrats met up with Senator Ben Cardin at the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade on November 17th.
The College Dems braved the cold weather to volunteer for Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) who currently serves as the
chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The College Democrats will meet with Senator Cardin
to discuss policies and current politics on Capitol Hill in the Spring 2008 semester.
Second Faculty Speaker Series: Professor Karol
Soltan:
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| Professor Karol Soltan with the College Democrats |
On November 7th, Professor Karol Soltan addressed the College Democrats regarding his incredible experiences as an adviser
in establishing the Kurdish constitution. He described his experiences in the Green Zone and his travels to Iraq.
He also discussed his experience as a peace keeper in East Timor. The College Dems hosted Dr. Soltan a day after the
Virginia State Senate turned Democratic in a historic election.
College Dems Beat
College Republicans in Charity Football Event:
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| College Democrats and College Republicans after the Football Game |
On November 3rd, the College Democrats triumphed over the College Republicans in the first-annual College Democrats vs.
College Republicans Charity Football Classic. The College Democrats beat the Republicans 56-14 to take the trophy in
the first game. The groups will donate $350 to the Fisher House Charities, based in Rockville, MD. Fisher House
helps the families of wounded Iraq War Veterans.
College Democrats Host our State Senator
Jim Rosapepe (D-MD21):
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| Senator Rosapepe with members of the UMD College Democrats |
The College Democrats hosted Senator Jim Rosapepe who represents College Park in the State House in Annapolis.
He spoke to the College Democrats on October 24th regarding issues ranging from gabling to the environment and also regarding
his tenure as US Ambassador to Romania under the Clinton administration. The College Dems hosted Senator Rosapepe only
days before a special session of the State legislature in Maryland to solve the state's budge crisis.
College Democrats
Host College Park City Council Debate:
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| Candidates for District 2 City Council Debate the Issues with the College Democrats |
On October 17, the College Democrats hosted Councilman John Perry, Councilman Robert Catlin, and Ms. Stay Baca for a
debate of student issues. Mr. Perry, Mr. Catlin, and Ms. Baca are all running for College Park city council in district
2, the city council district in which most University of Maryland students reside. Among the issues discussed were housing,
safety, and student-body council relations.
College Democrats Meet with Congressman Elijah
Cummings (MD-07):
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| The College Democrats with Rep. Elijah Cummings from Baltimore City |
On October 3rd the College Democrats met with Congressman Elijah Cummings from Baltimore City. Congressman Cummings
spoke to the group about the Democratic Party, leadership, and the future of our country in the Judiciary Committee hearing
room in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Cummings spoke to the College Democrats about his passion
for issues that he has felt in a very real sense as a child growing up in South Baltimore.
College Democrats
Meet Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-08):
|
| The College Democrats with Congressman Van Hollen |
On September 26th, the College Democrats traveled to Capitol Hill to meet Congressman and DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen.
The College Democrats discussed the Democratic Majority, campaigning, and student policies at the Democratic National Headquarters.
Additionally, the Dems toured the historic US Capitol building and met with former Maryland Democratic Party Chairman
Terry Lierman. Lierman discussed how to outreach for a party and the best strategies for engaging people in the political
process.
College Democrats
Discuss Policies with Doug Duncan:
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| Doug Duncan Addresses the UMD College Democrats as part of a faculty speaker series |
On September 19th, the College Democrats hosted former Montgomery County Executive, Maryland Gubernatorial candidate,
and current University Vice President Doug Duncan for a discussion of major policy issues in the United States. Mr.
Duncan facilitated a discussion with the College Democrats regarding political involvement, the Iraq War, solving Maryland's
structural deficit, and development of the new East Campus area of our University. Duncan joins the College Democrats
as the Inaugural Speaker of a 5-part University of Maryland Faculty Speaker series to take place throughout the semester.
College Democrats Host White House Journalist
Helen Thomas:
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| Helen Thomas with the 2007-2008 Board After our First Meeting |
On September 5th, the College Democrats hosted esteemed White House journalist Helen Thomas for our inaugural meeting
of the Fall 2007 Semester. Thomas, nicknamed the "First Lady of the Press" is well known for her honest reporting
and toughness on the Bush administration. She spoke to the College Democrats about the Iraq War, women's rights,
and the changing nature of the journalism profession.
The College Democrats Visit the Capitol Building
and Rep. Shuler (D-NC):
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| The College Democrats and Congressman Shuler on the steps of the U.S. Capitol |
On May 10th, The College Democrats traveled to Washington, DC to hear Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC) speak on a variety
of pressing issues facing our country including: education, health care, and immigration. Congressman Shuler is the
Chairman of the Small Business subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship. The College Democrats joined Congressman
Shuler on the steps of the United States Capitol after a historic vote on supplemental Iraq spending compromise legislation
to be approved only through July, which the President has said he would veto. Additionally, Congressman John Lewis (D-GA)
stopped by to tell the College Democrats about his experience speaking on the same podium with Martin Luther King, Jr. during
the civil rights movement's martch on Washington. Congressman Lewis was the sixth speaker in a ten speaker program
at the martch where Dr. King delivered the memorable "I Have a Dream" speech.
College Democrats
Join Progressive MD & NAACP to Denouce President's Veto on War Bill:
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| The College Democrats, Progressive Maryland, the NAACP and local activists join together. |
On May 2nd, the College Democrats President Jonathan Sachs joined Progressive Maryland, the NAACP, and several other
local organizations to praise the Democratic efforts in helping to rectify the conflict in Iraq and express their disappointment
for the President's veto of the new war spending legislation. The press conference was held on a rooftop lookout
point in Baltimore, Maryland. The organizations focused on the various effects the war has had on Americans on a day-to-day
basis. The College Democrats focused on growing college student loan debt as an alternative place for the funding currently
going to Iraq after the conflict is resolved.
Black History
Month Commemoration:
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| Orlan Johnson addresses the College Democrats weekly meeting on February 21st. |
On February 21st the College Democrats hosted Maryland State Board of Regents member Orlan Johnson. Professor Johnson
spoke about a recently released Board of Regents Study highlighting the economic importance of education to achieve a skilled
workforce in the State of Maryland. Orlan Johnson spoke to the group after the study received much press coverage due
to some of its findings. To read more about the study, please click on the link below to read the article in the Diamondback featuring Mr. Johnson.
Article featuring Orlan Johnson
Article about Johnson's visit to our meeting.
