The Frank Church Institute will present “Why Congress Matters,” a discussion with former Congressmen Brian Baird, Bob Goodlatt and Larry LaRocco, from 12-1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12.
Moderated by Boise State President Marlene Tromp, the discussion is part of the Institute’s Fridays with Frank series, focused around the theme “How Do Democracies Survive and Thrive in the 21st Century.”
The virtual event will be live streamed. It is sponsored by Congress to Campus, the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, and Community Development Inc.
Former Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District from 1999-2011. He served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure; Science; and Budget Committees; as well as the Democratic Steering Committee and Senior Regional Whip. He is the former chairman of the Department of Psychology, Pacific Lutheran University. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Wyoming and is a licensed clinical psychologist.
Former Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Virginia’s 6th Congressional District from 1993-2019. He served on the House Agriculture and Judiciary Committees, where he was Chairman; as well as Co-Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Internet Caucus. He currently represents the Project for Privacy & Surveillance Accountability. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Former Congressman Larry LaRocco served two terms as U.S. Representative from Idaho’s First District, where he was on the House Banking and the Interior Committees. Previously he was North Idaho Field Director for Senator Church. Subsequent to Congress, he was a managing director of the American Bankers Association and founder of LaRocco and Associates. He serves on the boards of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress where he was president; and the Frank Church Institute.
Dr. Marlene Tromp is the seventh president of Boise State University. She is committed to supporting students and faculty, serving and advancing the state of Idaho, and helping the university foster research excellence to increase discovery for its students and the world.