TOO BIG: Two Senate bills were recently introduced to reduce the size of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—a proposal long endorsed by Human Events. A handful of Republican senators have lent their support to the legislation, which would reduce the number of states covered by the 9th Circuit, considered the most liberal of the federal appeals circuits. The court’s rulings are also more frequently overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court than other circuits’ decisions. The 9th Circuit currently serves nine Western states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R.-Alaska) is sponsoring a bill (S 1296) that would keep Hawaii and California in the 9th Circuit, but form a new group with the remaining states. Another bill (S 1301) introduced by Sen. John Ensign (R.-Nev.) would leave California and Hawaii in the 9th Circuit. Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Montana would form one new circuit and Alaska, Oregon and Washington would be grouped together in another. Ensign’s bill mirrors a House version introduced by Rep. Mike Simpson (R.-Idaho). Idaho GOP Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo are co-sponsoring both bills.
OPINIONS WANTED: Social Security reform would most dramatically affect the lives of young Americans, particularly those under the age of 18. However, those citizens are heard from the least. Americans for Prosperity is giving students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to express their thoughts in the Social Security ABC’s Essay Contest. For a first prize award of $250, students are asked to describe, in a 250-750 word essay, what kind of a Social Security system they hope for in the future, what might happen if reform efforts fail and what the proper relationship between a citizen and his government should be. There is a junior division for students in grades 4-8 and a senior division for grades 9-12. For more information, contact Americans for Prosperity at 1726 M St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20036, or by phone at (202) 349-5880 and on the Internet at www.AmericansForProsperity.org.
CONSERVATIVE CONFAB: More than 250 conservative college students will gather in the Nation’s Capital to discuss conservative principles with some of their favorite political heroes. Sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation, the National Conservative Student Conference will be held from July 31 to August 6 at George Washington University’s Cafritz Conference Center. The week’s events include discussions with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R.-Ga.), Human Events Legal Affairs Correspondent Ann Coulter, syndicated columnists Michelle Malkin and Robert Novak and comedian Ben Stein, along with a trip to a Washington Nationals baseball game and a White House briefing. The cost of the conference is $325. For more information or to secure your reservation, contact Roger Custer of the Young America’s Foundation at 1-800-USA-1776.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: College students from across the country have joined together to form Students for Saving Social Security, an organization dedicated to supporting President Bush’s proposal for Social Security personal retirement accounts. The group opened its first chapter less than a year ago. Efforts include open communication with senators and congressmen and a campaign to create awareness for college-aged young adults through rallies and conferences. The group’s representatives appeared at the College Republican National Convention in late June and plan on attending the College Democrat National Convention as well. Using the slogan “Storm for Reform,” members of Students for Saving Social Security will visit several congressional offices on July 13, urging the members to evaluate the need for Social Security reform. Those targeted include Senators Max Baucus (D.-Mont.), Lincoln Chafee (R.-R.I.), Kent Conrad (D.-N.D.), Orrin Hatch (R.-Utah), Joe Lieberman (D.-Conn.), Blanche Lincoln (D.-Ark.), Ben Nelson (D.-Neb.), Bill Nelson (D.-Fla.), Ken Salazar (D.-Colo.), Gordon Smith (R.-Ore.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), as well as Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.).
