Future Forum Brings SOTU Guests Focused on Building a Brighter Future

March 7, 2024
Press Release

Washington, D.C. –  This week, members of the Future Forum Caucus announced their guests for the State of the Union address from around the country who are focused on building a brighter future for the nation’s younger generations. 

“Future Forum looks forward to hearing President Biden’s plans to build a stronger future for generations to come at tonight’s State of the Union address,” said the Co-Chairs. “It has never been more important to deliver on the issues that young folks care about, and Future Forum is proud to announce State of the Union guests who are leading the way on these issues including access to education, youth homelessness, juvenile justice reform, youth development, and reproductive freedom. We stand ready to work with the President to advance our shared vision for the future young Americans deserve.”

Future Forum State of the Union Guests:

  • Rep. Darren Soto, Co-Chair, Future Forum Caucus (FL-09) brings Stephanie Palacios, the Director of Advocacy and Government Relations for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. She is an advocate for protecting SNAP and other nutrition programs that impact youth.

  • Rep. Colin Allred, Co-Chair, Future Forum Caucus (TX-32) hosts Dr. Austin Dennard, an OBGYN from Dallas who had to leave Texas to receive abortion care after learning she was carrying a fetus with a fatal condition.

  • Rep. Pete Aguilar, Chair, House Democratic Caucus (CA-33) hosts Jodi Hicks, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, as his State of the Union guest. She is a leader advocating to advance reproductive health public policy.

  • Rep. Lori Trahan, Co-Chair, DPCC (MA-03) hosts Dr. Pietro Bortoletto, a Reproductive Endocrinologist and the Director of Reproductive Surgery at Boston IVF, the practice where Congresswoman Trahan underwent IVF treatment for five years.

  • Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) welcomes 914United Inc. founder Jonathan Alvarez of Yonkers as his guest. His work supports formerly incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth. He also works to reduce gun violence and provides educational support to incarcerated youth. 

  • Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) hosts Erika Malone, a registered expressive arts therapist (REAT), arts educator & administrator at the Monarch School, which is the only comprehensive K-12 school developed to serve students and their families who are experiencing homelessness.

  • Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) welcomes Laguna Pueblo teacher Treva Riley as his guest. Teachers at Tribal schools like Riley and Native American students would benefit from the bipartisan Parity for Tribal Educators Act, ensuring teachers at Tribal schools get the benefits they deserve.

  • Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) hosts Matt Vriesman, a history teacher at East Kentwood High School and 2023 National History Teacher of the Year. He works to teach his students the importance of primary sources and anti-racism. 

  • Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) will host Houston OB/GYN Dr. Damla Karsan, one of two physician plaintiffs in Zurawski v. State of Texas, a case before the Texas Supreme Court brought forward by 22 women who were denied abortion care in the face of severe and dangerous pregnancy complications. 

  • Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) hosts Dr. Brian Acacio, who has had some of Southern California's highest IVF success rates. His work ensures Californians can make their own decisions on how or when to start a family. 

  • Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14) hosts Emily Calandrelli, an Orange County mom who has worked to make it easier for moms breastfeeding newborns to pass through airports by helping draft legislation that has passed through Congress.

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About Future Forum Congressional Caucus: Established in 2015, Future Forum is a generational caucus comprised of 53 members from a diverse cross-section of the Democratic Caucus who are 50 years and younger.  Future Forum represents the next generation of leaders in Congress and includes members of all ideological and identity caucuses in the House, members of the Democratic leadership, and the first Gen Z Member of Congress.

To learn more about Future Forum: https://futureforumcaucus-allred.house.gov/