Reps. Beatty, Stivers Make Third Stop on Civility Tour at Columbus School for Girls

Reps. Beatty, Stivers Make Third Stop on Civility Tour at Columbus School for Girls

WASHINGTON, DC—Yesterday, on May 14, 2018, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congressman Steve Stivers (OH-15) made the third stop on their Civility Tour, speaking to students from Columbus School for Girls about the importance of civility and respect in everyday life. Yesterday's event followed Beatty and Stivers' previous Civility Tour stops at Cristo Rey High School on February 20th and Upper Arlington High School May 1st.

"Being civil is not about changing people's minds or compromising your own beliefs," Beatty said. "Rather, it is about listening to one another and treating each other with respect—especially those with opposing views." Beatty continued, "I am working hard with my fellow members of the Civility and Respect Caucus to spread and amplify this important message, and that starts with our young people. To that effect, Congressman Stivers and I are continuing to visit schools in both of our congressional districts, and to date more than 1,000 Central Ohio students have already taken the ‘Revive Civility' pledge."

During the event, Beatty and Stivers talked to the Columbus School for Girls' students about their bipartisan work, and why civility is important at school, work, home, and in the community. Following the joint presentation, Beatty and Stivers invited students to share ways they can be more civil and treat each other better.

"It was incredibly inspiring to see Representatives Beatty connecting with my classmates today, encouraging genuine discourse and acting as mentors to their young constituents. I am glad that our Ohio representatives are consciously exemplifying the civility and maturity that we so desperately need in American politics," Eva Heyer, a graduating senior at Columbus School for Girls, said. "I hope to see more Members of Congress join the Civility and Respect Caucus and focus on working to pass bipartisan legislation that will improve the lives of all Americans."

Beatty and Stivers founded the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus earlier this year, which encourages all Members of Congress to act with civility and respect in their political discourse in their congressional districts and in Washington.

Since the 113th Congress (2013-2014), Beatty and Stivers have served in neighboring districts in Central Ohio. Although the two are political opposites, they have been able to find common ground and work together to take on a multitude of issues, including homelessness, veterans' issues, and financial literacy. In addition, both are members of the House Committee on Financial Services and serve as co-chairs of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus.

The Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus currently has 22 Members, and each member has made a commitment to find opportunities to lead similar bipartisan discussions on civility and respect in their own districts.