Dartmouth Events

Registration required for in-person event: kinzinger.eventbrite.com

Livestream link: https://dartgo.org/kinzinger

Speaker:  Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Former Congressman and CNN Political Commentator

Host: Jason Barabas ’93
Director, Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Professor, Department of Government

Lecture Info:
Congressman Kinzinger recounts his time in public service and his hopeful vision for the future of our country. Pulling from his six terms in the House of Representatives, Congressman Kinzinger will bring the audience through his thought processes as he witnessed firsthand the changes in our government, and how he made the decision to stand against his own party for the sanctity of his country. The Congressman will encourage the audience leave inspired to not just be idle observers of, but rather active participants in our democracy.

From 2011-2022, Congressman Kinzinger served six terms in the United States House of Representatives, where he proudly represented Illinois’ Sixteenth Congressional District, which stretches across 14 counties in Northern Illinois. While in Congress, Kinzinger served as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment in the 116th Congress. He also served on the non-partisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

For Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, service to country has been the guiding principle of his life and career - first as a member of the armed forces, and later as a lawmaker in the halls of Congress. When the strength of the nation was tested on January 6th, 2021 and in the months following, Kinzinger took his sworn oath further, boldly demonstrating an exceedingly rare loyalty to country over party. As one of only two Republicans on the January 6th Committee, Rep. Kinzinger stood against his own party in pursuit of democracy and justice. Shortly after the insurrection at the Capitol, Congressman Kinzinger started the Country First movement, which has grown rapidly to over 100,000 members today and counting.

His top priorities include strengthening U.S. energy policy and making our nation less reliant on foreign resources as well as bolstering the strength of our national security –both at home and abroad. Prior to being elected to Congress, Kinzinger served in the Air Force in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Kinzinger continues to serve his country as a pilot in the Air National Guard, with the current rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and balanced this service with his duties in Congress. During his time in Congress, Kinzinger worked tirelessly for IL-16, and for the security of our nation. From getting veterans back to work, to combatting the opioid epidemic, Congressman Kinzinger fought for his constituents and stood up for America, keeping his oath to protect and defend our Constitution.

Dr. Jason Barabas ’93 is the Director of the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences and a Professor in the Government Department. At Dartmouth, Barabas teaches and conducts research on American politics in the areas of political knowledge, deliberation, public policy, and democratic performance.