New Students for Giffords Committee Formed to Engage Young Voters in Historic Election

September 19, 2008
For Immediate Release

Contact: Eric Swedlund
Communications Director
Giffords for Congress
520-512-0012

NEW STUDENTS FOR GIFFORDS COMMITTEE FORMED TO ENGAGE YOUNG VOTERS IN HISTORIC ELECTION

Saturday’s GO VOTE 2008 concert and festival to highlight youth effort to re-elect Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

TUCSON – In an election that is drawing more interest from young adults than any other in a generation, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is pleased to introduce Students For Giffords.

The collection of current and future leaders has pledged to turn out the youth vote to keep Giffords in Congress by organizing on college and high school campuses throughout Southeastern Arizona.

“Young people are going to play an extraordinary part in the 2008 election. The enthusiasm is tremendous,” said Christopher Campas, a University of Arizona history sophomore from Sierra Vista. “The earlier people become engaged with their communities and the political process, the more say they can have in their country’s future.”

Giffords’ stance on education, the economy and a forward-thinking energy policy are among the fundamental issues that draw younger supporters.

“As a student advocate and as a student myself, I know I can always count on Congresswoman Giffords to stand with students in making education accessible and affordable,” said David Martinez III, a UA senior and Student Regent. “I know Congresswoman Giffords stands strong for my own and for future generations.”

Martinez said that Giffords’ solid record of accomplishments will be a continued draw for young adults. Giffords’ record includes:

Co-sponsor of the College Student Relief Act of 2007, which would cut the interest rate for undergraduate student loans to 3.4 percent by 2011.

Co-sponsor of the National Science Education Tax Incentive for Business Act of 2007, which would give businesses tax credits for contributions to training science and math teachers.

Co-sponsor of the America COMPETES Act, to spur innovation through increased investment in research and development.

Giffords has fought to expand college scholarships, cut student loan costs, increase science standards and make sure schools receive adequate funding.

The Students For Giffords steering committee includes:
David Berens – University High School senior.
Malia Gonzalez – UA senior studying French.
David Martinez III – UA senior from Marana studying education and political science.
David Ware – 2008 Salpointe graduate and Flinn Scholar at the UA.
Yahya Yukel – Founder of Tucson’s Teen Democrats chapter and now a UA political science freshman.
Amber Ussery – UA doctoral student in political science.
James Jefferies – President of the UA Young Democrats and a political science senior.
Brittni Storrs – Vice president of finance for the Young Democrats of Arizona and a UA political science junior.
Christopher Campas – 2006 Buena High School graduate and UA honor student who is running for the Cochise County Board of Supervisors.

Students can sign up for the group at Saturday’s GO VOTE 2008 concert and festival at the Rialto Theatre or at www.giffordsforcongress.com, and are encouraged to join the Giffords For Congress Cactus Roots group on Facebook.

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