116 Student Body Presidents representing nearly 2 million college students from 40 states, have one question for Washington: Do We Have a Deal Yet?
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A coalition of nearly 120 collegiate student body presidents released a letter today calling on President Obama and Congressional leaders to reach a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling and reduce long-term budget deficits.
The letter read, "While you may disagree over which party shoulders more blame for our current situation, one thing is certain – young people will shoulder the consequences of gridlock during a time that requires bold action."
The student-led initiative, called Do We Have a Deal Yet?, began on Georgetown University's campus last week. Mike Meaney, the school's student body president and a co-founder of this initiative, said at a press conference Thursday, "We are not here to tell our leaders what to do. We are simply here to tell them to lead."
Meaney was joined by seven other campus leaders at the event, including Kaveh Sadeghian from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, who said, "Our leaders are used to kicking the can down the road. Well, we're that can, and we're here to kick back."
The student body presidents, who collectively represent nearly two million students nationwide, wrote that they support the efforts of the Gang of Six in the Senate as a "realistic framework from which to work."
Kaiyi Xie from University of Maryland-College Park said, "The time has come to craft a solution that is bold, balanced, and bipartisan." Xie intends to personally present the students' letter to President Obama when he visits the University of Maryland for a town hall event.
"We are urging our leaders to think about the next generation, not just the next election," Meaney said.
The students are sending copies of their letter to members of Congress and are encouraging the public to join a conversation about the issue on Twitter using the hashtag, "#dowehaveadealyet."
For media inquiries or further information, please contact Carlos Reyes at [email protected] or 657-229-3328.
Do We a Have Deal Yet? is a non-partisan, grassroots, student-driven initiative founded on the campus of Georgetown University…last week.
SOURCE Do We Have a Deal Yet?
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