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Bush Institute hosts Dallas Urban Debaters to address critical economic issues
On October 20-21, urban debaters from the Dallas area participated in a weekend of economic debates hosted by The George W. Bush Institute, in partnership with the St. Mark's School of Texas, Southern Methodist University, and the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance. The event was the first in a series of planned annual high school economic debates sponsored by The George W. Bush Institute and included the top 100 public school debaters from the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance.
The Bush Institute organized the weekend event to give high school debaters the opportunity to focus specifically and in-depth on topics vital to the future of U.S. economic policy.
President George W. Bush addressed the urban debaters, their coaches, teachers and volunteer judges at a dinner held in their honor. "It's important for the next generation to understand the promise of free enterprise and economic freedom," he said. "We believe that encouraging this kind of debate and dialogue will produce future leaders, and it just may be that a soul participating in this weekend will end up having the highest honor possible - being the President of the greatest nation ever."
The partnership between The George W. Bush Institute and the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance offers urban debaters the chance to engage in an important discussion about the future of America, and to present thoughtfully researched arguments to high-profile judges including prominent business leaders and former government officials. The students attended a lecture about infrastructure investment given by economist Roberto Salinas-León, president of the Mexico Business Forum, and adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute.
The Bush Institute Economic Debates are planned to take place annually in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, in partnership with St. Mark's School of Texas, Southern Methodist University, and the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance. |
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President Bush congratulates the top eight finalists
Barrett Blaker, Ronald Coleman, Griffin Goetzmann, Javier Gonzalez, Caleb Gutierez-Gorham, Stephanie Jimenez, Mac Murchison, Luke Roberts |
In Their Own Words:
For the one hundred DUDA debaters who participated, the inaugural Bush Institute Economic Debate offered the chance to debate the future of U.S. economic policy. It also offered the chance to meet and debate for high profile business leaders, government officials, and lawmakers. The top eight debaters had a private meeting with President George W. Bush. Here are thoughts from two of the top eight.
"The Bush Institute Tournament and meeting President Bush, and winning $500 in scholarships, will only further improve my confidence. Before the tournament I didn't think my partner and I could have gone undefeated, now I feel like we can go undefeated every time. "
Ronald Coleman
Skyline High School
"Meeting the president has been an honor. If I'd told myself freshman year of high school I would be meeting George W. Bush within two years, I wouldn't have believed it. It is a great experience, every moment of it, and it's all because of debate. Again, thanks to the Bush Institute for this amazing experience, and it will definitely be a milestone in my life."
Javier Gonzalez
Woodrow Wilson High School |
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