Dear Mr. Farago and Dr. Romano:
On behalf of the Richard G. Lugar Academy, I am very pleased to invite you both to be session speakers on the topic of Gun Control at the 37th Annual Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders at the University of Indianapolis on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The Gun Control session description sent out in our student invitations is the following:
Gun Control. Opponents of stricter control of firearms generally worry about infringement of the Constitutional right to bear arms, while proponents argue that restrictions on weapons like assault rifles and high capacity magazines could have mitigated the damage of recent mass shootings. Should assault rifles be banned, or should their ownership be constitutionally protected? What weapons should not be constitutionally protected? Some observers note that Americans’ views on gun ownership tend to split on a rural/urban divide. What are the differences between life in a city and life in the country that might make people feel differently about gun laws and gun ownership? Should gun laws be flexible enough to suit the unique nature of each locality, or does the constitutional right to bear arms override local prerogative? . . .
Typically, the format for Lugar Symposium sessions features two experts presenting opposing viewpoints, followed by an informal discussion. The discussion is meant to showcase how to have civil discussions on tough issues.
You are invited to attend a speaker’s lunch, which starts at 12:30 p.m. The first student session lasts from 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the second student session lasts from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Senator Lugar will join you at the speaker lunch to thank you for your time and commitment to the Lugar Symposium.
More than 15,000 promising high school students have participated in the Lugar Symposium over the years, gaining wisdom, insight, and access to some of the finest minds available. Thank you for helping the Lugar Academy ensure that the Symposium becomes one of Senator Lugar’s most enduring legacies.
Thank you for considering this request. I will follow up with a phone call soon to see if you can accept our invitation. We look forward to your response.
Most sincerely,
Lara Mann
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Lara Mann
Executive Director, Richard G. Lugar Academy