Year 13 Politics Students Enjoy UEA’s Congress to Campus Day

On Wednesday 8th November, Year 13 students studying Politics at Jane Austen College Sixth Form were delighted to attend the UEA's Congress to Campus Day. The students spoke to two former members of the US Congress, Loretta Sanchez, a Democrat from California, and Greg Walden, a Republican from Oregon.  

The event, organised by the University of East Anglia, gave students the opportunity to have an audience with two former members of the US Congress, Loretta Sanchez and Gregory Walden, hearing about their time on the front line of American law-making.    

Congress to Campus is the Association of Former Members of Congress’ (FMC) flagship programme, which has, for more than 40 years, provided university students with a unique opportunity to engage in honest dialogue with bipartisan teams of Former Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and American diplomats. 

A broad range of important and varied topics were covered including the growing polarisation in Congress or US leadership on the international stage in a changing geopolitical landscape marked by wars, climate change, and economic competition. 

The two speakers were: 

• Loretta Sanchez (Democrat – California), who served in the House of Representatives from 1997 to 2017. She represented California’s 46th and 47th Districts during her time in office. A member of the moderate to conservative wing of the Democratic Party, she served on both the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Armed Services, where she was its most senior female member. 

• Gregory Walden (Republican – Oregon), who served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2021. He represented Oregon’s 2nd District during his time in office, having previously served in the Oregon State Legislature. He was Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, responsible for supporting the election of Republicans to Congress from 2012 to 2016. He also served on the Committee on Energy and Security. 

Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Tom Carter said: 

“We had a great day with Y13 Politics at UEA’s Congress to Campus Day. Our students were a credit to the school, listening intently to the speakers and asking really insightful questions when prompted, which got some surprisingly honest answers. They all got something positive out of the experience which I’m sure will influence their studies.”