ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Participates in ‘Day of Unity’ Convention at Bellaire High School
‘I think we need to come together, and look towards real solutions.’
Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during the Day of Unity event held at Bellaire High School, 5100 Maple St., Sunday, March 25, 2018, in Houston. Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON, Texas – On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) delivered remarks at the Day of Unity convention hosted by High School Republicans of Texas, Texas High School Democrats, and Texas Junior State of America. There, Sen. Cruz discussed the importance of civil discourse and the First Amendment.
Several media outlets covered Sen. Cruz’s visit to Bellaire High School. Selected news coverage is below:
Houston Chronicle: Houston teens call for unity and understanding in public sphere
“U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Houston, attended, as did Mayor Sylvester Turner. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, also spoke, along with the chairs of Texas’ Democratic and Republican parties. Each offered bits of advice, and some took questions from the students. Over the rest of the day, students peeled off into breakout sessions with leaders of the Houston City Council, the Anti-Defamation League and other groups. In a 45-minute speech, Cruz advised students to ‘laugh, love, understand, tolerate, and reason.’ He suggested trying to approach people across the aisle with a sense of humor and respect. ‘If you’re going to try to persuade them, saying, ‘Dude, you’re an idiot,’ probably isn’t going to work,’ he said.”
KTRK: Sen. Cruz Participates in Bellaire High School Day of Unity event
High school students from all over Houston got together today to reach out across party lines. Bellaire High School a day of political unity and hundreds of students were there. It featured speakers from both parties, including Houston’s mayor Sylvester Turner, and Senator Ted Cruz. ‘It’s impressive to see high school students here taking the lead,’ Sen. Cruz said. ‘We had a civil, respectful conversation. There were some who agreed with what I had to say, and some who disagreed. But we were able to come reason together.’”
Texas Tribune: Texas high school students bring together Ted Cruz, Joaquin Castro for "Day of Unity" event
“In a 45-minute speech, the Texas senator extolled the importance of unity in today’s polarized times, prescribing five suggestions for overcoming polarization: laugh, love, understand, tolerate and reason. He repeatedly invoked his days on the college debating circuit as he implored the crowd — a couple of hundred mostly high-school age teens — to engage in good faith with those with whom they disagree. ‘On any issue — take the issue you care the most passionately about — the issue that wakes you up in the morning — and try to understand how someone of good intelligence, of good morals, someone you love, could reach an outcome exactly the opposite — 180-degrees on the opposite,’ Cruz said. ‘Try to think about how your mother could come to the exact opposite conclusion. Because if you ever want to persuade anyone, in life, in business, in politics, in any context, if you’re gonna persuade them, saying, 'Dude you’re an idiot,’ doesn’t work.’”
KHOU: Houston teens set aside beliefs to celebrate Day of Unity
“U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, State Representative Joaquin Castro and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke to 250 students about how it's possible to have a discussion with someone who doesn't share your same beliefs. Cruz acknowledged the power of young people, just one day after they marched to his downtown Houston office during the March For Our Lives rally. ‘I think everyone has a first amendment right to express their views. I’m glad to see young people expressing their views,’ said Cruz. ‘I think we need to come together, and look towards real solutions.’ ‘This is a polarized time,’ said Cruz. ‘Unfortunately, we’re a divided country. It’s impressive to see high school students here taking the lead. We had a civil, respectful conversation. There’s some who agree with what I have to say, some who disagreed.’”
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