National Convening Program Books 2015 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 5

From the
President
Dear Young Elected Officials:
Thirty years ago, the far right realized that they needed to invest in a
pipeline of leaders, and that’s exactly what they did. They managed to
produce Ann Coulter, Karl Rove, and Grover Norquist. People For the
American Way Foundation’s Youth Leadership Programs, started 10 years
ago, are the answer to that investment.
A decade ago, we realized that to build a powerful progressive movement,
we needed to make a sustained investment in young leaders. The program
you’re seeing this weekend is a testament to that commitment.
It’s so easy to get discouraged about the fate of the country. We have
congressional gridlock, a conservative Supreme Court, global warming. I
know that there are days when it’s hard not to conclude that this country is
heading in the wrong direction, and there’s nothing to be done about it.
But you all know better than anyone that, if you look below the gridlock and
dysfunction at the national level, there’s an enormous opportunity to make
change at the state and local level–opportunities each one of you is already
taking advantage of to effect change at the grassroots level and build a
progressive country from the ground up. You’re on the front lines fighting
for choice, the environment, LGBT equality and so many other important
issues—often in the most difficult places—and we thank you.
I love PFAWF’s Youth Leadership Programs because they’re having an
impact on the issues we care about all over the country. But I also love
them because they give me so much hope. It’s impossible to spend time
with members of these networks and not feel better about the future of our
country.
Sincerely,
YEO National Convening | 2015

Michael Keegan
President
People For the American Way Foundation

4