Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/124184
Hon. Ronald Sarasin, USCHS president, introduces the distinguished panelists. Mark Shields Moderates 2012 National Heritage Lecture Mark Shields T ALL PICTURES KATIE GARLOCK/PORTRAITIONS he 2012 National Heritage Lecture, "Comity and Contention in Congress: Yet, since polls 1962-2012," was a panel discussion hosted began tracking Congresby political columnist/commentator and USCHS sional approval ratings trustee Mark Shields, with former Senators in 1974, the public's John Breaux (LA, 1971-2004) and Trent Lott confidence in Congress (MS, 1973-2008) and former Representatives has never been as low Beverly Byron (MD, 1979-1992), William H. as it is today. CongresGray III (PA, 1979-1991), and Robert L. Senator John Breaux and Representatives sional scholars and Robert L. Livingston and William H. Gray III wait Livingston (LA, 1977-2000). The program, commentators refer to their turns to comment. organized by Congress as "the the USCHS in recognition broken branch," "even worse than it looks," "dysfunctional," of its 50th anniversary and "gridlocked," and perhaps most tellingly, "unrepresentative." co-hosted by the White Are such criticisms accurate, and if so, how did Congress House Historical Associa- get where it is, what changes can be made to fix the probtion and the Supreme lems, and how can we "get it back on track?" Court Historical Society, The Hon. Ronald Sarasin, USCHS President, remarked, was held December 4, "The 2012 Heritage Lecture explored a half century of 2012 in the Hall of Rep. Beverly Byron pursues a point as Mark Shields and Sen. Flags of the U.S. Chamber John Breaux listen. of Commerce. In the past five decades, Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing serious domestic and international issues. It has passed important civil rights and voting rights reforms benefiting millions of Americans. Economic legislation has stimulated economic growth, and a largely bipartisan foreign policy contributed to ending the Cold War, diminishing the threat of nuclear war, and confronting USCHS General Secretary Suzie Dicks, with former Representative Andy Ireland, Nancy Ireland, and Bonnie Livingston international terrorism. Rep. Beverly Byron and USCHS member Susan Fritschler in discussion at the reception Congressional history, form, and function. The rich and extensive personal experiences of the panelists, all long-serving former Members of Congress, provided Representative William lively conversation and fascinating H. Gray III and Senator insights into the changes that have Trent Lott in a light moment taken place in Congress since the 1960s." The discussion was filmed by C-SPAN and can be viewed at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/309781-1. The National Heritage Lecture was established in 1991 by the USCHS, the White House Historical Association, and the Supreme Court Historical Society. Its purpose is to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of the American system of government and the principles upon which it was founded. Hosted in turn by each of the three historical societies, the National Heritage Lecture annually explores one of the three branches of government and the momentous events and personalities associated with its history. The three historical societies hosting the lecture are private, non-partisan, non-profit organizations dedicated to research, education, and publication.