ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who represents the East Bay and is chair of the Future Forum in Congress, held a Future Forum Town Hall with students at Sonoma State University on Thursday.
The forum, introduced by Congressman Swalwell last year, is a group of 18 young, Democratic Members of Congress focused on bridging the gap between Congress and young Americans by discussing issues of importance to millennials.
Swalwell is leading the group on a national listening tour to listen and engage with millennials at universities, community colleges, companies and start-up incubators.
On Thursday, the Future Forum came to Sonoma State for a town hall-style listening session.
Students were encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation with both Rep. Thompson and Rep. Swalwell about issues that are of particular interest or concern to them, as millennials.
To ensure the Future Forum was as accessible as possible, the town hall was live streamed via both Facebook and Periscope.
“Many thanks to my colleague Eric for working with me to bring the Future Forum to Sonoma State,” said Rep. Thompson. “I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down with our bright young students and learning what it is they’re passionate about, and what it is that concerns them the most. Having this kind of open dialogue is key as my colleagues and I work to make sure the voices of our millennial generation are heard in Washington.”
“Thanks to all the Sonoma State students and community members who joined us for this latest stop on the Future Forum’s national listening tour,” said Rep. Swalwell. “Millennials are now the largest and most diverse generation in our nation’s history. Congress needs this kind of direct, frank input in order to make meaningful progress on the issues that concern millennials most, such as student loan debt, jobs, home ownership and climate change.”
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.