Student Handout

Congressional Committee on the Environment Hearing Guidelines

Constituent groups speaking at the Congressional hearing. Circle the name of your group.

• Environmentalists
• Climatologists
• Atmospheric scientists
• Economists and global industry advocates
• State and local action advocates
• Coalition of private business and environmental organizations

Directions:

1. Working with the members of your group, review the research material you were assigned and, if time permits, other material from library or Internet sources pertaining to your topic.
2. Create a list of questions to ask each of the constituent groups after its presentation. Ask challenging questions based on the research you have completed to make sure each constituent is able to support their position. Also make sure your questions are balanced and not biased.
3. After completing the worksheet, divide up the questions among the members of the committee. Select a chairperson to bring the hearing to order, call on witnesses to present, introduce committee members for their questioning, and adjourn the meeting. Sit your group at a desks or a table facing the different constituency groups.

• Environmentalist
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Climatologist for taking immediate action
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Atmospheric scientist against taking immediate action
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Economist and global industry advocate
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Advocate for taking more action at the state and local level
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Private business leader