Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/493339
SPRING SYMPOSIUM PLANNED Student Essay Contest Deadline T he Society's annual spring symposium is scheduled for May 7-8, beginning with a keynote address on the evening of Thursday, May 7 and continuing through a full-day of presentations on Friday, May 8. The subject of the 2015 symposium is the end of the Civil War and its aftermath—both the short term and long term effects of that bloody and divisive conflict as it pertained to Congress and the federal government. More details on the conference will be posted on the website and in emails to Society members. To be placed on the Society's email list, go to the Society's home page (www.uschs.org) and click on the "sign up for our email list" icon. T he U.S. Capitol Historical Society has already received early entries to the 2014-15 Making Democracy Work Student Essay Contest. Middle and high school students have until June 5, 2015 to submit their entries to this nationwide contest. It is open to all students in two categories: a junior division contest for students in grades 6-8 and a senior division contest for students in grades 9-12. In each division, first place prizes include $1,000 and a trip to Washington, DC to accept the prize. Second place winners will receive $500, and third place winners will receive $250. The schools of the two first place winners will also receive a $1,000 award. "We are proud to offer talented students the opportunity to showcase their thoughtful perspectives about what it means to be an American citizen today," said Ronald A. Sarasin, President of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. "We hope our contest will be a catalyst for an important national discussion about democracy, citizen- ship, voting rights, and our collective responsibilities as Americans." The topic of the 2014-15 school year contest is: Why is voting rights an important issue in American History? The Voting Rights Act of 1965 will be 50 years old in 2015. Why is voting so important to this nation, and why has the extension of voting rights been such an important and controversial issue in American history? Some things you might want to consider in your essay: 1) the relationship between voting and citizenship; 2) how, when, and why voting rights were extended to various groups, and the arguments for and against such decisions; 3) how voting rights at various times have been denied or restricted at state and local levels to some citizens; 4) and what threats remain today to a citizen's right to vote? USCHS WELCOMES NEW STAFF T HE U.S. Capitol Historical Society is pleased to welcome new staff members to key positions in January. Peter McGuire has begun overseeing the Society's finances as director of finance and adminis- tration. He replaces Paul McGuire, who had helmed the Finance and Administration Department since 2000. Laura McCulty Stepp has joined the senior staff as vice president of membership and develop- ment; she succeeded Rebecca Evans, who had led the Society's Development Department since 1997. The Society extends a warm welcome to these knowledgeable new department heads, who will guide fundraising efforts and financial stewardship. Simultaneously, we thank both Paul McGuire and Becky Evans for their long tenures and outstanding service to the Society. We wish them the best as they enter retirement. Peter McGuire, Director of Finance, and Laura McCulty Stepp, Vice President of Membership and Development