“Our concept of Democracy rests upon faith in the value of the individual. Our system of government and our way of life assume that every citizen has the right to a voice in determining the policies that affect his/her well-being.” This maxim begins the NFL’s Student Congress Manual; a hope that the event might fulfill the dreams and hopes of America’s forefathers. However, at many local and state tournaments, Student Congress is often typified by poor speech quality, little respect, and an almost overriding opinion that these problems are inevitable. Flawed perceptions and lackadaisical competing are not fair to those who genuinely seek to make the event everything it can be. Coaches, judges, and competitors must recommit to the ideals that founded Student Congress by changing the way they think of and participate in the event.
The pursuit of this goal begins with solid preparation. Because bills and resolutions are written entirely by students, their subjects are often elementary and not of national importance. Arguments for speeches are often highly redundant, contain little sound research and exhibit an elementary understanding of the topic at hand. While Congressional speeches are only three minutes long, a great amount of skill is required to assemble expert argumentation in a short amount of time. The purpose of Student Congress must always be to seek solutions to the major problems affecting everyday Americans, providing a model of high-minded debate that perhaps even our leaders in government can aspire to. As congressional competitors, we can never take the low road, allowing ourselves to lose sight of the people we figuratively and often literally are asked to lead. By writing quality speeches and legislation beyond the usual “high school” subjects, the event will not only be more exciting, but more dignified as well.
An assembled Student Congress must model the vision of Congress itself; representatives who feel impassioned about the issues and uphold great debate. The recitation of fully written speeches without refutation, rebuttal, or respect for the progress of debate is not only discouraging, it is unworthy of our role as representatives of the “concept of Democracy.” Parliamentary games and voting blocks designed to limit the speeches of others and benefit one or two debaters are similarly below the dignity of even a mock Congressional body. A simulation of Congress must be as (and oftentimes more) respectful than Congress itself. By following this philosophy, we not only continue to prepare ourselves as the leaders of our generation, we demonstrate the great notions under which our country is found and can hopefully return.
Sadly, for these reasons, the event is often dismissed by other debaters and by coaches as a “consolation event”; this is a dangerous mentality. Coaches and other debaters must acknowledge that the event is only limited by the competition in it. Congressional debate has many wonderful qualities; debating the problems actually facing the country, balancing congressional style with debating substance, celebrating the spirit of American democracy, and learning the invaluable skill of compromise. Treating Congress as an illegitimate form of debate is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Thankfully, the inverse is also true. Members of the debate community on every level must acknowledge Congress’ strengths equally with its weaknesses and personally commit themselves to allowing an optimistic evolution for the event.
It is by instituting these reforms that Student Congress can become the extraordinary event it was created to be. It is through a re-commitment to its goals and ideals that we can fully realize an event which rests and even celebrates a faith in the value of the individual.
(Chase Nordengren, student from West Des Moines Valley HS, IA, Class of 2006 carries an NFL degree of Superior Distinction.)
