Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   Established by the National Speech and Debate Association, in conjunction with national and local partners, this event serves to promote better instruction in speech and debate across all grade levels and to highlight the pivotal roles these abilities play in personal advocacy, social movements, and public policy making; and

WHEREAS:   Speech and debate education helps students develop important skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration through the practice of public speaking; participants learn not only to analyze and express complex ideas effectively but also to listen, concur, questions, or dissent with reason and compassion; and

WHEREAS:   Across the country, countless educators devote in-school, after-school, and weekend time to supporting their students in speech and debate practices and competitions, and the example of hard work and dedication they set has lasting, positive impact on their pupils; and

WHEREAS:   The skills learned through speech and debate serve students well throughout their lives, and this occasion presents a welcome opportunity to recognize such instruction as an essential component of a well-rounded curriculum.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Stuart Boley, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 2, 2018 as

“national speech and debate education day”

in the City of Lawrence.

                                                          Stuart Boley, Mayor

March 6, 2018