A major forum sponsored by the John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress at NYU Wagner brought together Senator John Kerry and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich on April 10, 2007, in Washington, D.C., to debate global climate change and how Congress should tackle the issue.
Kerry and Gingrich discussed the role of government and the marketplace before an overflow crowd of more than 250 people in the Russell Senate Office Building. Journalists from more than 50 media outlets from C-SPAN to the Washington Post, and from the Weather Channel to The New Republic covered the two-hour discussion.
NYU Wagner Dean Ellen Schall delivered introductory remarks, noting the event is part of a continuing series of substantive forums organized by Wagner Professor Paul Light that explores how Congress can work to resolve not only issues of the day, but also critical issues of the future.
Additionally, NYU President Emeritus John Brademas, who is a distinguished former member of Congress, welcomed the participants, while Professor Light served as the moderator.
The Associated Press began its dispatch on the event this way: `1234567890-“Climate change is heating the earth and also warming relations between Democrat John Kerry and Republican Newt Gingrich.
“Kerry, a past presidential candidate, debated Gingrich, a potential one, in a friendly exchange Tuesday on Capitol Hill .Then the two argued for nearly two hours about whether the government should cap emissions of greenhouse gases or whether tax breaks will encourage businesses to do so.”
The John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress at NYU Wagner seeks to advance the understanding of Congress - its powers, processes and political character - among scholars, students pursuing careers in public service, those working on Capitol Hill, and the public.
To see C-SPAN’s live coverage of the Kerry-Gingrich forum, go to http://www.c-span.org/Search/advanced.asp?AdvancedQueryText=global climate kerry&StartDateMonth=&Sta