At a time when political gridlock is on the rise
and public approval of Congress
has reached historic lows
we need to recognize leaders who
understand that public interest must
transcend partisanship.
In 1787, James Madison wrote that in a free society
groups of people or factions will unite
around common political interests
And these factions have the potential to impede progress.
Or worse.
The U.S. Constitution serves to check the power of factions
by balancing one against the other
Madison understood that then.
and we understand that now
we have created an award to recognize two deserving
legislators of our time
through an endowment from representative David
Skaggs and his wife Laura
in partnership with American University's School of Public Affairs
we will honor one u.s.
representative or senator
from each major political party democrat or republican.
These are the women and men
who help ensure our democracy moves forward
join us join us join us as we
celebrate the legislators who have
chosen to rise above partisanship
in the interest of the American people
enlightened men and women who are committed
to the unification of our country
legislators deserving of The Madison Prize
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