President Obama spoke Tuesday, April 24 to a packed auditorium on the University of Colorado
Boulder campus, his message clear: We cannot price the middle class out of a college education.

The unventilated auditorium was hot and muggy, but this did not deter students from their
opportunity to hear the President speak. Obama was over an hour late after making a pit stop at a
local favorite pizzeria, The Sink. He looked road-weary and drained as he took the stage, but the
moment Obama stepped up to the podium, the entire audience sprang to their feet in applause.

“Hello, Boulder! How’s it going, Buffaloes?”

This speech was no typical campaign-trail talk, but rather a policy speech on student loans and
higher education. President Obama reminded us that earning a college degree in an investment
not only in oneself, but also in the future of our country. Since long before the GI Bill, a college
education has remained the best-laid path to the middle class for millions of low-income
Americans. Yet the hurdles are growing higher and higher as students graduate with more debt
and now face a doubling of interest rates that could happen this July. This doubling of interest
rates would basically be a $1,000 tax hike for more than 7 million students across America.

Obama joked, “Now, I just want to see a show of hands because I want to make sure I’m not
misinformed here. How many of you can afford to pay an extra $1,000 right now? I didn’t think
so.”

President Obama trumpeted a call to action for Congress to end the political games and help
students across the country. Though he acknowledged this investment in America should
transcend partisan politics, Republicans have taken a different approach with members of
Congress such as Denny Rehberg from Montana calling Pell Grants “the welfare of the 21st
century.” While both Republicans and Democrats have publicly supported the one-year
extension on lower interest rates, they have divided over how to pay for it.

Sadly, Senators apparently do not subscribe to Twitter. Although President Obama called on
college students in the audience, and across America, to tweet in support of extending the lower
interest rate on federal Stafford loans using the hashtag #dontdoublemyrate, the measure failed
this week. Unless Congress acts quickly, millions of low- and middle-income students will be
disenfranchised and will face burdensome obstacles to achieving the American dream.

Students nationwide are extremely disappointed in Congress’ failure to put aside party lines and
work to achieve a bipartisan solution, and that’s why we stand with YDA’s Executive Director,
Emily Tisch Sussman, in calling on Congress to immediately help struggling students and develop a
solution in the best interest of our future: http://www.yda.org/yda-statement-on-failure-of-
student-loan-interest-rate-bill.

#dontdoublemyrate

Sincerely,

Dustin Hausner

YDA Disability Caucus Chair

“Young Democrats all over the country are elated to hear President Obama fully endorse marriage between two people who love each other regardless of their sexual orientation. As a generation, young people know that love is love, and the law should reflect that. Young people coalesced around President Obama because we knew that he saw us as individuals who all deserve the same rights. Today, he has solidified that notion.

The Young Democrats of America is proud of our role in championing full marriage equality for many years. YDA state affiliates have been leaders in many state amendment fights such as Prop 8 in California, and North Carolina, yesterday. As a national organization, YDA recently called on the Democratic party to include marriage equality in the platform. We have faith that the country is moving in the right direction toward inclusion and that President Obama will lead us.”

Press inquires can be made at office@yda.org

“The Young Democrats of America join the thousands of North Carolinians, led by the North
Carolina Young Democrats, and millions of Americans, in our profound sadness that once again
hate has found a place in a state constitution.

Since our founding, America has been strongest when it has led with the conviction that, for
whatever our personal prejudices, the rights of law abiding citizens should not be restricted
by the constitution, but rather protected by it. It seems that Republicans believe it is sound
conservative politics and policy to protect the rights they agree with while perverting state
constitutions to disenfranchise those they find disagreement with. This strategy is not only
divisive, but weakens America by weakening our strongest founding principles of liberty and
justice for all.

While saddened by this outcome, we are proud of the leadership of the North Carolina Young
Democrats by fighting for equality and for remaining on the right side of history. Their leadership
should give all hope that in the not too distant future, North Carolina will have a generation of
leaders who will correct this grave injustice and lead their state with integrity and fidelity to the
intent of the US Constitution.

The Young Democrats of America will continue to press within our own party for the inclusion
of equality in our party platform and look forward to working with leaders throughout the
Democratic party to move America forward by standing by the constitution not manipulating and
dismantling it for political and hateful purposes as has unfortunately become all too common in
this Republican-Tea Party era.”

“YDA is disappointed with the failure of the Student Loan bill in the Senate today. With the rate for Stafford Loans doubling on July 1, time is running out for Congress to do the right thing and keep loans affordable for young people. An increase to 6.8% on loans would create a huge burden on young people who are trying to create a better future for themselves, their families, and America. YDA is proud to stand with President Obama and Majority Leaders Harry Reid in a continued call for Congress to find a solution that is in the best interested of our future. “

“Tonight’s video conference via Adobe Chat was phenomenal in the sense that we were able to visually talk to President Obama’s top Hispanic campaign advisors; I think this kind of accessibility of young Hispanics with top DNC advisors says alot about this campaign and our President. Make no mistake, young Hispanics across the nation are ready to send a strong message on the campaign trail, and that is , Republicans have turned their backs on our community’s needs and now is our moment to fight back, ” said Phillip Arroyo, Chairman of the YDA Hispanic Caucus, and who is also President of the Puerto Rico Young Democrats.

“ I committed myself to campaigning for then-Senator Barack Obama in January of 2008 in a small meeting space in Inglewood, CA. I remember the energy in the room, the sense of duty that every single person in that room felt to our country, and the understanding that Barack Obama had to win that election. I felt that very same energy tonight and it was with young Latino leaders at Harvard University who were listening intently to the message of hope and change that President Barack Obama has championed in the White House, ” expressed Harvard Young Democrats President Adan Acevedo who is also Director of College and University Affairs in the YDA Hispanic Caucus.

Last March, the YDA Hispanic Caucus was officially constituted during the YDA winter meeting in Chicago to serve as a a mechanism to rally up, motivate and activate young Hispanics for the campaign and represent the Hispanic community within YDA. The caucus plans to execute a campaign plan which will focus on targeting and invading key battleground states such as Nevada, Florida, North Carolina and New Mexico to tip the balance in our party’s favor and secure President Obama’s reelection.

The Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia (220 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) is the host venue for this meeting.  YDA has secured a group rate of $137/night plus tax. To reserve a room, please contact the hotel directly at  (215) 735-6000 and mention you are with Young Democrats of America to ensure you are given the proper group rate.

Registration is now open:

-       Super Early Bird registration ($25) will be open until 5 PM EST Friday, May 11th

-       Early Bird registration ($45) will be open until 5 PM EST Friday, May 18th

-       Regular registration ($55) will then be in available until 5 PM EST Friday, June 15th

-       After 5 PM EST on Friday, June 15th, only On-Site Registration ($75) will be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact YDA Meetings Director Kelly Drake (meetings@yda.org) with any questions.  We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia this summer!

One of the best parts of the day was seeing the diversity of attendees at the event. Looking around, you could see a visual representation of the “big tent” that we Democrats live underneath together. As a Young Democrat, I was particularly pleased to see so many young people standing next to me. President Obama and his White House understand how important it is to include youth in their programming, especially White House events. We are the heart and the work horses of the party, and this White House recognizes our important role, and makes sure that young people are welcome and encouraged there. I’m grateful to be part of the party that values and encourages youth participation in politics.

-Tory Lauterbach

For every year that Congress allows the rate to double, the average student with these loans will rack up another $1,000 in debt. The Young Democrats of America feel this increase is both unjust and un-American.

How can our generation achieve the American dream if GOP members of Congress turn their backs on our future? How can our generation get ahead if this Congress continues to put us on the backburner?

These questions and this rate increase should spur young people to action all across this country. Now is the time for Young Democrats to stand with our President, who believes we must reward hard work and responsibility by keeping interest rates on student loans low so more Americans get a fair shot at an affordable college education.

We cannot cut our way to economic growth. Making it harder for our generation to afford higher education and earn degrees is nothing more than cutting our nation’s future out at the knees.

The fight over college affordability and student debt is not a fight for our parents’ generation or our grandparents’ generation. This is our generation’s fight and we can win it if we unite and work together.

The Young Democrats of America oppose any congressional measure or inaction that would result in an increase in the cost of attending higher education and hope our allies and friends will do the same.

The YDA National office, in Washington, D.C., is seeking a full time graduate intern, or post-graduate fellow.  Successful candidates will work closely with YDA’s Executive Director through the 2012 election cycle.  Interns will be closely involved in the planning and execution of several YDA events, grassroots and new media operations, managing chapters, book-keeping, and fundraising.

Qualifications:
Successful candidates will be extremely organized and have a demonstrated interest in the political process.  Candidates must also be available to work in the national office through November.  Recent graduates and those seeking independent study options are encouraged to apply. A sense of humor is greatly appreciated.

Role and Responsibilities:
Interns will be asked to perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to providing communications support, event coordination, research and general administrative tasks.

Compensation:
Compensation will be in experience and/or credit. The position is unpaid.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in YDA and CV to ydajobs@gmail.com with the subject heading of YDA Executive Intern.  Due to the high volume of applicants only successful candidates will be contacted.

Non-discrimination policy:
YDAis fully committed to the principles of non-discrimination and treats all its Board members, Stakeholder Board members, Officers, volunteers, employees, donors, contractors, consultants and clients without discrimination as to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, height, weight, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability (if otherwise qualified with or without accommodation), HIV status, gender identity, gender expression, veterans status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.