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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Connie Bernardy (DFL)

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Bringing People Together: National Institute for Civil Discourse

Monday, February 15, 2016

In January, Representative Connie Bernardy helped bring together the Idaho Legislature through her work with National Institute for Civil Discourse to help serve the people of Idaho better. She is one of 35 Next Generation Facilitators across the nation who is trained to help legislatures function more effectively. Representative Bernardy brings legislators together in Minnesota and throughout the country to build trust and help facilitate better communication.

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton are the chairs of this National Institute. The mission of the Institute focuses on lawmakers, the media, and the public. It supports legislators to function better with one another so they can solve the nation’s most challenging issues, encourages media to engage and inform the public rather that sensationalizing extreme positions, and calls on the public to demand a government that works in the best of the entire country.

Last year, Representative Bernardy along with other law makers charted the course and launched the National Civility Network made up of over 200 legislators. The day culminated with the first annual Civility in State Governance award named in honor of and presented by Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband, Captain Tom Kelly. Represented Bernardy career has been creating community partnerships. Bernardy stated, “I love bringing people together to help build a stronger community, state, and nation.”