Dear NFL Students and Debate Coaches:

In September and October, just as America was gearing up for the November elections and calm, measured discussion was in short supply, a dialogue was taking place all across the country on the topic of America’s role in the world. As part of this national discussion series called The People Speak, events took place in high schools, universities, places of worship, and community centers in small towns and large cities alike. At the heart of this effort was the National Forensic League (NFL). On behalf of the United Nations Foundation and The People Speak, I would like to express my deep appreciation to all of the student debaters, who so diligently researched and expertly delivered their remarks, and to the debate coaches, who prepared their students and made these events possible.

NFL has been an integral partner of The People Speak for two years now. This year, NFL debaters were involved in discussions not just with their fellow students, but with the wider community. When students such as Tripp Rebrovick, who introduced Ted Turner at our marquee event in Nashville, showed such poise and eloquence in addressing and questioning senators and ambassadors, all in attendance knew that they had caught a glimpse of our future leaders. It was similarly heartening to see lively exchanges between students and Rotarians, American Legion Members, and members of other civic organizations. Promoting such open lines of communication between generations and between individuals who might not regularly interact is very much in the spirit of The People Speak.

To everyone who participated in The People Speak, thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm. To tell the story of The People Speak in numbers, over 4,000 grassroots events and 24 marquee events moderated by ABC News correspondents took place in September and October at a rate of approximately 100 events per day. Through extensive news coverage, over 20 million people heard, read, or saw something about The People Speak. NFL, which organized the lion’s share of The People Speak events, contributed greatly to the success of this effort. As we plan for the future of The People Speak, we hope that NFL will continue to be a part of this important endeavor.

Sincerely,

Timothy E. Wirth

President, United Nations Foundation