The American Political Science Pre-Law Association
New Explorations into Science,
Technology & Math
http://www.nestmk12.net/
Ms. Nina Svirsky, President & Founding Member of the American Political Science Association
Mr. Alex Potter, President of the American Political Science Association
Ms. Katherine, Committee Secretary/Records
Mr. Scott Semaya, Committee Representative
Mr. Alex Potter, President of the American Political Science Association
Ms. Katherine, Committee Secretary/Records
Mr. Scott Semaya, Committee Representative
APSA/Debate Committee Manual
General
Overview:
Debate
is a formal contest of argumentation between two teams or individuals. But more
broadly, and more importantly, debate is an essential tool for developing and
maintaining democracy and open societies. More than a mere verbal or
performance skill, debate embodies the ideals of reasoned argument, tolerance
for divergent points of view, and rigorous self-examination. Debate is, above
all, a way for those who hold opposing views to discuss controversial issues
without descending to insult, emotional appeals, or personal bias. A key
trademark of debate is that it rarely ends in agreement, but rather, allows for
a robust analysis of the question at hand. Perhaps this is what French
philosopher Joseph Joubert meant when he said: “It is better to debate a
question without settling it, than to settle a question without debating it.”
Dear APSA/DC
Members,
Welcome to the American Political Science Association/Debate
Committee (APSA/DC). Please take a moment to review the revised attendance
policy. Since its inception in 2009, the APSA/DC has stood for and has
represented professionalism, moral responsibility, integrity, and respect for
all. In order to fulfill the principles that this organization was founded
upon, it is important that we implement an attendance policy which will help
build and maintain and atmosphere of professionalism and commitment.
The APSA is a nationally recognized academic institution of
scholars, politicians and students. As a member of the APSA you are now part of
an elite group of local, national and international leaders who help represent
the world’s leading professional organization for the study of political
science. The Debate Committee (DC) is unique to NEST+m and was founded help
support the broader goals of the APSA; together these two organizations
function as the APSA/DC.
Your affiliation with the APSA/DC necessitates a serious
commitment to improving the world as well as understanding the role of policy
and law in building and maintaining social and economic institutions and
relationships. We expect that all members present themselves with integrity and
reverence for others as well as for the policies of the association. The
revised regulations are as follows:
1. Members are expected to be present
at 7:30 am when the zero period bell rings. There is no difference between
attending zero period class and attending the Debate Committee.
2. Meetings will start promptly at 7:35
am and end when the bell rings.
3. No member will be allowed to enter
the room after 7:45 am.
4. No member may accrue more than three
absences during any one session (autumn session, winter session, spring
session).
“The
purpose of the Committee is to create educational opportunities for all
students and to provide a vehicle for students interested in politics, social change
and community organization to discuss relevant topics and ideas. In addition
the committee seeks to engage students in activities beneficial to their
personal and professional development, and to increase the visibility of issues
throughout the school and the greater local, national and international
community”- APSA/DC Founding Council Members
On
behalf of the Debate Committee, we appreciate your effort to abide by these
regulations and look forward to our continued collaborations and substantive
debates this school year!
I.
Debate Styles/Formats
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Format
The
Debate Committee at NEST + m will primarily follow the Lincoln-Douglas debate
format. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, the motion is a statement, phrases as a
sentence that focuses on an issue of philosophical or political concern, and
which will be analyzed from a moral perspective. Lincoln-Douglas Debate places
primacy on the ability of debaters to make original, coherent, and
philosophically persuasive arguments on issues of ethics. Debaters should
present a persuasive moral position that they can defend from criticism and use
to argue against an opposing case, without falling into self-contradiction or
denying the complexity of the issues at stake. Students should familiarize
themselves with the work of major ethical philosophers and should inform their
cases with real-world examples and analysis.
Debate and Democracy
Debate
is not a forum for asserting absolute truths, but rather a means of making and
evaluating arguments that allows debaters to better understand their own and
others’ positions. This sense of a shared journey toward the truth brings
debaters closer together, even when they represent opposing sides of an issue
or come from vastly different cultures or social classes. In so doing, debate
fosters the essential democratic values of free and open discussion.
II.
Rules and Regulations of the Association (APSA/DC Constitution Effective As of
2/1/2013)
Article I: The Name
The
official name of the organization/association is the American Political Science
Pre-Law Association at NEST + m (APSA). The APSA hosts a political and social debating
organization known as the NEST + m Debate Committee, together this organization
functions as one and is known as the APSA/DC.
The name
of the organization shall always remain the APSA/DC. If and when the APSA/DC
should join state or national organizations the APSA/DC shall continue to
function every Friday morning from 7:30am – 8:15am. Any other related
organization that the APSA/DC shall join will meet on any day other than Friday,
excluding non-school days and may (with the discretion of the council) hold
different offices.
Article II: Purpose of the
APSA/DC
The
purpose of the Debate Committee is to create educational opportunities for all
students and to provide a vehicle for students interested in politics, social
change and community organization to discuss relevant topics and ideas. In
addition the committee seeks to engage students in activities beneficial to
their personal and professional development.
Being a
member of the Debate Committee comes with great responsibility and serves as an
opportunity to learn analytical and argumentative skills required for many
fields such as business and law.
Article III: Membership
No person desiring and able to
serve as a member of the APSA/DC shall be denied membership. Debate is open to all students
regardless of academic standing. Members who regularly attend meetings during
at least one session and meet the attendance requirements will receive
certificates of recognition.
Affiliation with the APSA/DC necessitates a serious commitment to
improving the world as well as understanding the role of policy and law in
building and maintaining social and economic institutions and relationships. It
is expect that all members present themselves with integrity and reverence for
others as well as for the policies of the association. The attendance
regulations are as follows:
Section 1. Members shall be present at 7:30 am
when the zero period bell rings. There is no difference between attending zero
period class and attending a Debate Committee session.
Section 2. Meetings shall start promptly at 7:35
am and end when the bell rings.
Section 3. Members shall not be allowed to enter
the room after 7:45 am and are expected to stay until 8:15am.
Section 4. No member may accrue more than three
absences during any one session (autumn session, winter session, spring
session) or they shall be notified of their discontinuance of membership, valid
if and only when the proper two written warnings(made either via email or
written notice) are made prior to the third absence offense.
Article IV: Meetings
The
committee shall announce and hold regular meetings every Friday of every week
at 7:30am sharp,
unless
otherwise necessary. Meeting times shall always take place Fridays from
7:30am-8:15am.
The meeting
location shall be determined by the faculty advisor and committee members.
Meetings are open to all individuals. Meetings will be announced through email
and morning announcements in advance, and minutes from each meeting will be
will be made available to members upon written request.
Article V: Voting Procedures (Presidential
and Council Elections shall take place ever year before the first of April,
while all other votes can take place at anytime during the school year)
- All members of the Debate Committee are eligible to vote during Debate sessions; this includes council members but excludes presidents. Debate committee members shall only have voting power during presidential elections and/or elections to select council members and at no other time and for no other purpose excluding voting power to determine passage of change to the APSA/DC constitution. When and if a change is proposed to the constitution, the council shall first pass the proposed amendment by a majority vote of one, the advisor and the assistant committee advisor having no voting power, presidents have voting power during council meetings. The advisor or presidents shall then bring the amendment proposition change to an official APSA/DC meeting where it shall be decided that the measure shall pass if and only when a minimum 2/3 of the entire Debate Committee (in attendance) shall ratify the proposed amendment, the council and presidents have voting power during APSA/DC sessions if and only when the vote deals with an amendment.
- Voting shall be conducted by secret paper ballot only and shall exclude members who have missed three or more APSA/DC meetings in any one session. The Committee Advisor and two members of the council shall count and announce the voting outcome, the secretary shall record all.
- Members who joined the APSA/DC starting Friday, February 1, 2013 shall not have their absences counted prior to that date, that is to say that attendance records are only valid after a member has attended a “first meeting”, and thus attendance records are not retroactive.
- The following members do not have any voting powers whatsoever: the committee advisor or the assistant committee advisor. Presidents only have voting power during council meetings and amendment votes. Council meeting members have voting power during council meetings and all APSA/DC meetings. APSA/DC members have voting power only during APSA/DC meetings.
*The
names Debate, the APSA/DC, Debate
Committee, the Committee are used interchangeably throughout this document
and thus it is understood that in each and every context where the
aforementioned titles appear they refer to the same organization/association
known as the APSA/DC. The names “organization” and “association” are also used
to denote the APSA/DC.
Article VI: Duties of Officers
Section 1: Office of the President(s)
- The APSA/DC shall always have two presidents in office during every session of the APSA/DC
- The president(s) shall act as the chief executive officer(s) for the organization
- The president shall be in charge of planning the weekly PowerPoint presentation, session agenda, Council and President meeting agendas and oversee, manage and care for the overall maintenance of the organization including planning, researching and running weekly APSA/DC meetings.
- The APSA/DC president(s) shall act as the organization’s treasurers as needed.
- The APSA/DC presidents shall schedule and hold a Council Meeting every Tuesday of the week.
Section 2: Executive Secretary
and Director of Committee Records
- Maintains accurate and full attendance records including lateness’s and absences. The secretary shall also record general minutes of meetings from every APSA/DC session and shall attend every council meeting in order to record detail minutes of proposed agendas.
- It is the duty of the secretary to maintain a digital file of all attendance and records including member names and emails.
- It is the duty of the secretary to maintain a digital record of all minutes from APSA/DC sessions and council meetings.
- The secretary shall attend President’s meetings if and only when by invitation from both presidents or by an invitation of the committee advisor and only for the purposes of recording minutes.
- Every week the secretary shall send an updated copy of all records to council members only, including attendance and council minutes.
Section 3: Committee
Representative
- Attends APSA/DC and Council Meetings.
- Updates APSA/DC blog and/or website including facebook page (if applicable)
- Makes weekly announcements of Debate meetings and topic in the morning announcements unless otherwise noted and sends weekly Debate meeting reminders unless otherwise noted.
- Researches weekly topic as needed by the Debate Presidents.
- Acts as a representative of the APSA/DC and works on plans for recruitment and retention of members including playing a key role in researching how the APSA/DC can enhance its reputation.
Article VII: Rules and
Regulations of Administrative Appointments
At the
first meeting of each fall semester, the president(s) will explain the duties
of each office and will (with the assistance of the Committee Advisor) plan the
first session of the school year. The APSA/DC shall always have three sessions
per year, one in autumn, winter and spring and shall meet every week excluding
non-school days and any week prior or during final, midterm, Regents and AP
exams.
The
committee advisor may be absolved at anytime and for any reason and any member
of the council may rescind their duties at anytime and for any reason. Council
member or president removal may only happen if and only when the majority of
the council has voted to discontinue membership in conjunction the APSA/DC
members have also voted by a 2/3 majority to also discontinue the aforementioned
member.
Presidents
may only serve in office for one year and are eligible to run for assistant
committee advisor (ACA) after their presidency has commenced. The ACA shall
have no voting power and shall be voted by a 2/3 majority in order to serve as
ACA. Only one ACA will be in office per school year at any one time.
Article VIII: Manual Amendments (Ratifications
are valid if all members in attendance vote)
In order
for an amendment to pass the council must first vote by a majority that the
proposed amendment shall pass. The proposed amendment shall then go to the
entire APSA/DC members where it shall only be ratified if and only when 2/3 or
more of APSA/DC members vote for its passage. It is agreed that any and all members of the APSA/DC members including
presidents, council members and advisors shall be subject to all the rules and regulations
written in this constitution. Mr. J.P. Zucchero, Founder of the APSA/DC, is
granted full immunity from all rules and regulations stated in this
constitution thereunto appertaining.
III.
Debate Formats and Member(s) Responsibility in Debating
Different
styles of debate offer their own distinct format and focus. The Debate
Committee at NEST + m predominantly employs the Karl Popper Debate format with
secondary school students and Parliamentary Debate format. Below is a list of
different formats with links to the NEST + m Debate Committee Standards that
list the rules for each distinct format.
The
Internet Debate format is meant to allow debaters to engage in short debates
using instant messaging software. These debates will have one debater
representing the "affirmative" and another debater presenting the
"negative". While Internet debaters are not meant to replace face-to-face
communication, they are a way to bridge geographic distances and to allow for
discussion between people who might not otherwise have a chance to meet. The
NEST + m Debate Committee expects the opportunities for debating on the
Internet to improve as technology improves and believes this format will be
dynamic and open to change.
Karl Popper
Debates - http://www.idebate.org/standards/ruleskarlpopper.php
The
Karl-Popper format focuses on relevant and often deeply divisive propositions,
emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills, and tolerance for
differing viewpoints. To facilitate these goals, debaters work together in
teams of three, and must research both sides of each issue. Each team is given
the opportunity to offer arguments and direct questions to the opposing team.
Judges then offer constructive feedback, commenting on logical flaws,
insufficient evidence, or arguments that debaters may have overlooked.
Legislative Debate
Legislative
Debate is based upon the notion of having representative student leaders
consider some of the problems that actually confront lawmakers. In doing so,
Legislative Debate provides unparalleled insight into the way legislation is
drafted, and establishes in its participant’s leadership and deliberation
skills crucial to effective participation in democratic processes. Legislative
Debate also offers a vehicle for teaching parliamentary procedure and helps
students internalize the value of decision making processes that draw on
consensus building and majority rule.
Lincoln-Douglas
Debate - http://www.idebate.org/standards/ruleslincolndouglas.php
In
Lincoln-Douglas Debate, the motion is a statement, phrases as a sentence that
focuses on an issue of philosophical or political concern, and which will be
analyzed from a moral perspective. Lincoln-Douglas Debate places primacy on the
ability of debaters to make original, coherent, and philosophically persuasive
arguments on issues of ethics. Debaters should present a persuasive moral
position that they can defend from criticism and use to argue against an
opposing case, without falling into self-contradiction or denying the
complexity of the issues at stake. Students should familiarize themselves with
the work of major ethical philosophers and should inform their cases with real-world
examples and analysis.
Mock Trial
The NEST
+ m Debate Committee Mock Trial is an exercise in argumentation and legal
procedure, and the only educational trial format based upon the International
Criminal Court established by the Treaty of Rome. The NEST + m Debate Committee
Mock Trial hones both legal reasoning and courtroom technique while it
familiarizes participants with a vital arena of public debate. Teams
representing the prosecution and defense take on the roles of all attorneys and
witnesses. A judge, or judging panel, oversees the round, provides educational
criticism, and makes a decision based upon each team's performance. Each case
argued is an original scenario that the participants must master. Facts are
presented through a variety of legal documents and through the testimony of
witnesses. Although the underlying facts are the same, each round unfolds
differently according to the actions, decisions, and interactions of the
participants. Teams contest the facts of the case through direct examination,
cross-examination, re-direct, and re-cross of both prosecution and defense
witnesses.
Cross-Examination (Policy) Debate
Like
other forms of debate, Cross-Examination Debate focuses on the core elements of
a controversial issue. Cross-Examination Debate develops important skills, such
as critical thinking, listening, argument construction, research, note-taking
and advocacy skills. Cross-Examination Debate is distinct from other formats
(with the exception of two team Parliamentary Debate) in is use of a two person
team, along with an emphasis on cross-examination between constructive
speeches. While specific practices vary, Cross Examination Debate typically
rewards intensive use of evidence, and is more focused on content than delivery.
Public Debate -
http://www.idebate.org/standards/rulespublicdebate.php
The NEST
+ m Debate Committee believes that debate should not be limited to the setting
of competitive debate tournaments in which only students take part, but instead
feels that debate should operate within a broader context of public
participation and should embrace different segments of a community. The NEST +
m Debate Committee strongly encourages its members to promote and support
public access to debate through the organization of public debates and by
inviting the public to debate competitions.
Public Forum Debate -
http://www.idebate.org/standards/rulespublicforumdebate.php
Public
Forum Debate offers students a unique opportunity to develop on-their-feet
critical thinking skills by situating them in contexts not unlike US political
(radio and TV) talk shows. Public Forum debaters must anticipate numerous
contingencies in planning their cases, and must learn to adapt to rapidly
changing circumstances as discussions progress. Public Forum's open-ended
cross-examination format encourages the development of unique rhetorical
strategies. Public Forum debates should be transparent to lay audiences while
providing students with real-world public speaking skills through the discussion
of contentious ideas.
IV.
Committee Resource(s): The Constitution of the United States
Preamble
We
the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,
promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.
Article
I - The Legislative Branch Note
Section
1 - The Legislature
All legislative
Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States
Section
2 - The House
The
House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year
by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have
the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the
State Legislature.
No
Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty
five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States
(Representatives
and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included
within this Union , according to their
respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of
free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and
excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous
sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The
actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of
the Congress of the United
States
When
vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority
thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The
House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and
shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section
3 - The Senate
The
Senate of the United States
Immediately
after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall
be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators
of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of
the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class
at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every
second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the
Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make
temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall
then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded
by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)
No
person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty
Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States
The Vice
President of the United
States
The
Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in
the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of
President of the United
States
The
Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that
Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States
Judgment
in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office,
and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit
under the United States
Section
4 - Elections, Meetings
The
Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives,
shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress
may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place
of Chusing Senators.
The
Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be
on the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were
superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.) unless they shall by Law appoint
a different Day.
Section
5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment
Each
House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its
own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business;
but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to
compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such
Penalties as each House may provide.
Each
House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for
disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.
Each
House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish
the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and
the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the
Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither
House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other,
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the
two Houses shall be sitting.
Section
6 - Compensation
(The
Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services,
to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States
No
Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be
appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which
shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased
during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States,
shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
Section
7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
All bills
for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the
Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every
Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate,
shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United
States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his
Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the
Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after
such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it
shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it
shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it
shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be
determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and
against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If
any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays
excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law,
in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment
prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every
Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of
Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be
presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take
Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be
repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to
the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section
8 - Powers of Congress
The Congress
shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay
the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United
States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the
United States;
To
borrow money on the credit of the United States
To
regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with
the Indian Tribes;
To
establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of
Bankruptcies throughout the United
States
To coin
Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of
Weights and Measures;
To
provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of
the United States
To
establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To
promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times
to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and
Discoveries;
To
constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To
define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and
Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To
declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning
Captures on Land and Water;
To raise
and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a
longer Term than two Years;
To
provide and maintain a Navy;
To make
Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To
provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union , suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To
provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for
governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United
States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers,
and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline
prescribed by Congress;
To
exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not
exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the
acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States,
and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the
Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts,
Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And
To make
all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the
foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the
Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section
9 - Limits on Congress
The
Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing
shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to
the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed
on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The
privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in
Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill
of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
(No
capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the
Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in
parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)
No Tax
or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No
Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports
of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one
State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money
shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by
Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of
all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title
of Nobility shall be granted by the United States
Section
10 - Powers prohibited of States
No State
shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of
Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold
and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass
any Bill
of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts,
or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State
shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on
Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's
inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any
State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United
States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the
Congress.
No State
shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops,
or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with
another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually
invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Article
II - The Executive Branch Note
Section
1 - The President Note1 Note2
The
executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America
Each
State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number
of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which
the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or
Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States
(The
Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two
persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State
with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and
of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and
transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States
The
Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which
they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States
No
person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the
time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of
President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not
have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a
Resident within the United States.
(In Case
of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or
Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall
devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case
of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice
President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer
shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be
elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th
Amendments.)
The
President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation,
which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he
shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other
Emolument from the United
States
Before
he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or
Affirmation:
"I
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of
President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section
2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
The
President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United
States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual
Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the
principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject
relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to
Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in
Cases of Impeachment.
He shall
have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties,
provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and
by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors,
other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other
Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by
Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in
the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The
President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the
Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of
their next Session.
Section
3 - State of the Union , Convening Congress
He shall
from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union,
and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary
and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or
either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the
Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper;
he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care
that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of
the United States.
Section
4 - Disqualification
The
President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States
Article
III - The Judicial Branch Note
Section
1 - Judicial powers
The
judicial Power of the United
States
Section
2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
(The
judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this
Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall
be made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other
public Ministers and Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime
Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; to
Controversies between two or more States; between a State and Citizens of
another State; between Citizens of different States; between Citizens of the
same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a
State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.)
(This section in parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)
In all
Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in
which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original
Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall
have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and
under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The
Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such
Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been
committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such
Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section
3 - Treason Note
Treason
against the United States
The
Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no
Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except
during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article
IV - The States
Section
1 - Each State to Honor all others
Full
Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and
judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws
prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be
proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section
2 - State citizens, Extradition
The
Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of
Citizens in the several States.
A Person
charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from
Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive
Authority of the State from which he fled, be
delivered
up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
(No
Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping
into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be
discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of
the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in
parentheses is superseded by the 13th Amendment.)
Section
3 - New States
New
States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall
be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State
be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without
the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the
Congress.
The
Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and
Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution
shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States
Section
4 - Republican government
The United States shall guarantee to every State in
this Union a Republican Form of Government,
and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the
Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened)
against domestic Violence.
Article V - Amendment Note1 - Note2 - Note3
The
Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall
propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the
Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for
proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and
Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of
three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths
thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the
Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One
thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and
fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State,
without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article
VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
All
Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this
Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States
This
Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in
Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the
Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or
Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The
Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several
State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United
States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to
support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a
Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Article
VII - Ratification Documents
The
Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the
Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
The
following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments
collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights. History
Amendment
1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government
for a redress of grievances.
Amendment
2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
A well
regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State
Amendment
3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
No
Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent
of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment
4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The
right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.
Amendment
5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.
No
person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising
in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time
of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any
criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be
taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment
6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In all
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall
have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by
law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his
defence.
Amendment
7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In Suits
at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall
be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to
the rules of the common law.
Amendment
8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Excessive
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Amendment
9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The
enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment
10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
The
powers not delegated to the United
States
Amendment
11 - Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795. Note History
The
Judicial power of the United States
shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted
against one of the United States
by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State
Amendment
12 - Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804. Note History
The Electoral College
The
Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for
President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant
of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person
voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as
Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as
President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of
votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to
the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of
the Senate;
The
President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of
Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;
The
person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the
President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors
appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having
the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as
President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot,
the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by
states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this
purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and
a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House
of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall
devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the
Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other
constitutional disability of the President.
The
person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the
Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors
appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers
on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose
shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of
the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally
ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of
Vice-President of the United
States
Amendment
13 - Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865. History
1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States
2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
14 - Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868. Note History
1. All
persons born or naturalized in the United States ,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States United States
2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State,
excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the
choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States,
Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or
the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion,
or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
3. No
person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of
President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the
United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a
member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of
any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to
support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
such disability.
4. The
validity of the public debt of the United States United States nor any State
shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or
rebellion against the United
States
5. The
Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the
provisions of this article.
Amendment
15 - Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/1870. History
1. The
right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
2. The
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified. Ratified 2/3/1913. Note History
The
Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever
source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without
regard to any census or enumeration.
Amendment
17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913. History
The
Senate of the United States
When
vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the
executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such
vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the
executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the
vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This
amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any
Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
Amendment
18 - Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919. Repealed by Amendment 21, 12/5/1933.
History
1. After
one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or
transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or
the exportation thereof from the United States
2. The
Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
3. This
article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment
to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in
the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to
the States by the Congress.
Amendment
19 - Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920. History
The
right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
Congress
shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933. History
1. The
terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of
January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of
January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had
not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
2. The
Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall
begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a
different day.
3. If,
at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President
elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a
President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of
his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice
President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified;
and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President
elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then
act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected,
and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall
have qualified.
4. The
Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons
from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the
right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of
any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever
the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the
ratification of this article.
6. This
article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment
to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States
within seven years from the date of its submission.
Amendment
21 - Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5/1933. History
1. The
eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States
2. The
transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States
3. The
article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment
to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the
States by the Congress.
Amendment
22 - Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2/27/1951. History
1. No
person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no
person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than
two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be
elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall
not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was
proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding
the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which
this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting
as President during the remainder of such term.
2. This
article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment
to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States
within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
Amendment
23 - Presidential Vote for District
of Columbia
1. The
District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint
in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President
and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in
Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no
event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those
appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the
election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State;
and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the
twelfth article of amendment.
2. The
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
24 - Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964. History
1. The
right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election
for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President,
or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or
other tax.
2. The
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
25 - Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967. Note History
1. In
case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or
resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
2.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President
shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a
majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
3.
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits
to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be
discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of
the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable
to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall
immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter,
when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no
inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless
the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the
executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon
Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that
purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after
receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session,
within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by
two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the
powers and duties of his office, the Vice President
shall
continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President
shall resume the powers
and
duties of his office.
Amendment
26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971. History
1. The
right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older,
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of age.
2. The
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment
27 - Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay. Ratified 5/7/1992. History
No law,
varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives,
shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
The
Debate Committee, 2012-2013 Members:
Vera Rees, Donnell Griffith, Christopher Shell, Omar Savior Youssef, Natalya
Brill, Cindy Sim, Charlotte Whittaker, Orion Karagiannis, Alex Potter, Quabellah
Williams, Hanna Morales, Katia Penkova, Marcus Bachu, Amin Essafi, Aziz Fall,
Armoni Boone, Alex Anderson, Dechen Gurnang, Nishat Rahman, Yolanda Wadolowski,
Pascal Diaz, Armoni Boone, Panagiotis Getsos, Alex Koutavas, Morad Hassan, Ivan
Huang, Zoe Quintero, Jaylene Decastro, Nabil Kebe, Larissa Klaus, Patrick
Seaman, Michael Nguy, Judy Lin, Alex Potter, Kelly Collao, Polina Barker,
Abraham
Fakhreddine, Adama Gamby, Wells Hero, Zahira Perez, William Stremba, Katherine
Wallace,
and Paola
Wernick.
"The
idea is to establish an organization that enables students to express and
articulate their political views on a range of local, regional, national and
international issues. This 'Debate Club' will be known as the American
Political Science Association/Debate Committee (APSA/DC). The purpose of the APSA/DC
is to create educational opportunities for all students and to provide a
vehicle for students interested in politics, social change and community
organization to discuss relevant topics and ideas."
-Autumn
2009, the Founding Council Members
Disclaimer
for Committee/Debating Sessions:
The information and/or data used and presented are
intended for educational and/or informational purposes only. Any statements
and/or arguments made during and/or related to sessions do not reflect the
opinions or views of any of the individuals involved in the administration of
the Debate Committee, the APSA, the National Forensics League, or NEST + m, and
are not meant to defame, purge, humiliate, and/or insult anyone on the basis of
any protected class under the law including protected classes under the NYC DOE
Chancellor’s regulations. The APSA/DC affirms no liability, intended or implied
by any parties, at anytime and for any reason and/or for any purpose and
therefore is not liable for any cited infraction by any party at anytime and in
any context; any cited infraction therefore shall be deemed null and void in a
court of law.
