DNC Youth Council Co-Chairs Jason Rae (WI) and Amber Goodwin (TX) issued the following statement after the vote:

We want to thank the DNC for their vote to include youth in Rule Seven of the DNC’s 2012 Delegate Selection Rules. We have always believed it is important that youth – an important constituency group within the Party and a historically underrepresented group within party affairs – is included directly in the Delegate Selection Rules. Because of this, the Youth Council has worked tremendously hard with the Rules & Bylaws Committee, DNC staff, and the full DNC membership to see that youth was listed in the rules for 2012.

It is very clear that the members of the Democratic National Committee understand the important role that young voters play within our party. The Youth Council looks forward to working with state parties to develop their inclusion programs as we work to ensure a high participation of youth at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Today is the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act, which occurred on August 6, 1965. In recognition of that occasion, the DNC Youth Council Co-Chairs Jason Rae (WI) and Amber Goodwin (TX) issued the following statement:

“Today, on the 45th anniversary of the day President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, we would like to join with young Americans across the country in remembering the incredible courage and dedication of all those who fought for the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Thanks to the Voting Rights Act, Americans of all backgrounds are voting, running for office, and serving in government.

“Our country and our leaders are more diverse than ever before – and so is the Democratic Party. We are incredibly proud of the young men and women of all backgrounds over the past years that have joined the Democratic Party to elect and reelect strong Democrats and to help President Obama to successfully enact his agenda.

“The greatest aspirations of the Voting Rights Act are evident in our Council’s dedicated efforts to make sure young Americans are engaged in the political process. And we will continue to fight to ensure that all young voices are heard in our party, in our elections, and in our government.”

Today, the Senate confirmed President Obama’s nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. We commend both the President and Senate Democrats on her swift confirmation, and we look forward to the day, very soon, when Elena Kagan will be sworn in as our country’s fourth-ever female Supreme Court Justice. Throughout her career, Justice Kagan has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to justice for all Americans in keeping with their rights under the Constitution of the United States and the laws of our country. We have full faith that she will uphold justice for all Americans on the Supreme Court, and we look forward to her service on that Court.

“Wall Street reform is a victory for every young American who has struggled with buying a home and credit card debt, and whose savings were impacted by the financial crisis. Wall Street reform will end abusive lending practices, bring Wall Street’s financial dealings into the light and under regulation, guarantee that American taxpayers are never again left holding the bag for big banks’ risky trades, and secure the foundation for stable economic growth. These are critical common-sense reforms that will benefit young Americans, but nonetheless, the vast majority of Republicans in Congress voted against them. Now, Republicans are calling for the repeal of this vital legislation. That’s why, this year, it is so important that young people all across America support strong Democratic candidates who will stand with the President to overcome Republican obstructionism and continue to move America forward.”

Felicity Pereyra, a native Houstonian, is the Youth Outreach Director for the 2010 Harris County Coordinated Campaign. Harris County is the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States. Felicity was part of the Democratic Coordinated Campaign team in 2008, and her leadership at the busiest office in Harris County translated into over 3,500 a night during GOTV in support of Democrats running for office up and down the ballot.

Texas Democrats are delighted that she is overseeing one of the most important demographics in 2010: young voters. Felicity has put together a well thought-out plan to target and engage young voters, and to ensure those voters turn out this fall to support Democrats. The Harris County Democratic Party is building upon the gains made in 2008 with young voters – and they are working to build a presence on every university and community college campus in Harris County. Says Felicity:

"I'm so excited to be a part of this team once again. Jamaal Smith, our campaign manager, has put together a supremely talented group of people to carry out efforts to ensure that young people show up to the polls this year. I know that under his leadership, we will lead Harris County to Democratic victories in November."

Contact: A’shanti Gholar – 202.479.5130

Latest Gallup Poll Shows Young People are Firmly Standing behind President Obama

Washington, DC – The findings of a new Gallup poll reflect what the DNC Youth Council has been seeing in the field for months – young people are firmly standing behind President Obama.

“The results of this survey clearly show that young people continue to strongly support President Obama,” said Jason Rae, DNC Youth Council Co-Chair. “These results also highlight how important young voters are to continuing to advance the President's change agenda. That is one of the reasons why the DNC's 2010 strategy is dedicated to turning out young voters and other voters who voted for the first time in 2008."

Gallup’s new presidential approval report shows that 58% of young people (those aged 18 to 29 years old) firmly support President Obama and the job that he is doing leading this country.

“From health insurance reform, to financial aid reform, to Wall Street reform, President Obama understands the issues that are of importance to the youngest generation of voters,” said Amber Goodwin, DNC Youth Council Co-Chair. “Since day one he has been a tireless advocate for our generation. It’s no wonder that young people support him – because he supports the things we care about.”

The full Gallup report can be found online at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/127481/Obama-Approval-Continues-Show-Party-Age-Race-Gaps.aspx

The Democratic National Committee’s Youth Coordinating Council (Youth Council) was formally constituted as a council of the DNC in December 2005. The goal of the Youth Council is to increase opportunities and improve participation by young people, under age 36, in the activities and structure at all levels of the Democratic Party. Among the purpose and goals of the Youth Council is to ensure that the Democratic Party maintains a majority of the youth vote which it currently holds with a wide margin.

Contact: A’shanti Gholar – 202.479.5130

Statement on Immediate Past President of Wisconsin College Republicans
Joining the Democratic Party

Washington, DC – Today at a press event in Milwaukee, the Immediate Past President of the College Republicans of Wisconsin renounced her party membership and joined the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Jason Rae, Co-Chair of the DNC Youth Council and DNC member from Wisconsin, issued the following statement after her announcement:

“On behalf of the DNC’s Youth Council, I want to welcome Lora Rae Anderson to the Democratic Party. Her leaving the Republican Party clearly demonstrates that the Republican Party is being increasingly narrow in every way and actively alienating young voters – voters who will play an important role in this year’s election.
“While the Republican Party has alienated young voters, the Democratic Party has continually attracted young voters in to our party. From our open door policy, to a platform that supports the lives and views of young people including passing reforms that make student loans more affordable and allow young people to stay on their parents insurance after the graduate, the Democratic Party is welcoming in the newest generation of voters.

“As an active member of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, I look forward to Lora’s involvement and participation in our party. I am sure that we will continue to see more young people joining and participating in the Democratic Party because we are a party of inclusion and a party that shares and promotes the ideals of today’s young Americans. We saw it in 2008 with record numbers turning out to support President Obama and the Democratic ticket up and down the ballot. And we will see that again this year.”

The Democratic National Committee's Youth Coordinating Council (Youth Council) was formally constituted as a council of the DNC in December 2005. The goal of the Youth Council is to increase opportunities and improve participation by young people, under age 36, in the activities and structure at all levels of the Democratic Party. Among the purpose and goals of the Youth Council is to ensure that the Democratic Party maintains a majority of the youth vote which it currently holds with a wide margin.

Download the Youth Council Dispatch

“Discharging over 13,000 soldiers because of their sexuality is in violation of the principles of this nation, as is forcing thousands of other service members to keep their sexuality secret. In the interests of human rights and furthering the most capable military in the world the College Democrats of America will continue to support President Obama's agenda for an end to ‘Don't Ask Don't Tell.’”

“On this 40th Earth Day, we recommit ourselves as a nation to our efforts to protect our planet and our environment for future generations. We honor the leaders who made the call to improve our environment so our generation could enjoy the air we breathe to the water we drink. We also thank President Obama who understands that we must work to protect our environment for future generations of Americans. Earth Day should also serve as a call to action for young Americans so we can work to continue to have a safe and clean environment for decades and generations to come.”

Writes Doten:

“The question facing campaigns this fall is not about how to convince young voters that Democrats are on the right side of issues of importance. Our generation has demonstrated a widespread acceptance of the progressive values which, for a large part, make up the Democratic Party platform. The question is how to activate these young voters and get them to the polls.”

To read the rest of article please visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/becca-doten/dont-call-us-the-future-i_b_535825.html