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The annual TEX-ABOTA James Otis Lecture Series will take place on Tuesday, September 18, 2018. As is our tradition, it will be held in the chambers of the Texas House of Representatives.
We are pleased to announce that Prof. H.W. “Bill” Brands, will be our speaker again this year. He will discuss the Constitution and his book, “The General Vs. the President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War”. Prof. Brands is an American educator, author and historian. He has authored 30 books on U.S. history. He holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Ph.D. in history in 1985.
Up to 150 high school students from around the state of Texas will gather at the Texas State Capitol at 9:00am Tuesday morning for a tour of the Capitol, then gather in the chambers for our program. After the program, we will have lunch at the First United Methodist Church, where Prof. Brands will autograph copies of the books which will have been sent to the students. The students will then be presented with their James Otis Scholar certificates.
If you know of a school that would like to have their students participate, please contact either Karen Burgess, program Chairperson, or Cay Dickson, Executive Director of TEX-ABOTA. The deadline to enter the program is August 24, 2018.
Here is the agenda for the day:
James Otis Lecture Series
Schedule for the Day
September 18, 2018
| 9:00 a.m. SHARP | Students arrive and register upstairs by House Chambers |
| 9:30 a.m. | Tours of the Capitol (in groups, depending on number of students) |
| 10:45 a.m. | Students are seated on the floor of the House of Representatives |
| 11:00 a.m. | TEX-ABOTA and ABOTA representatives speak to the students |
| 11:05 – 11:10 or 11:15 a.m. | ABOTA Foundation and efforts with Youth |
| 11:15 a.m. | Introduction of Dr. H.W. “Bill” Brands |
| 11:15 a.m. | Dr. Brands addresses the students |
| 12:00 p.m. | Head to Fellowship Hall at the First United Methodist Church (walking distance) Dr. Brands may attend to autograph his book |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch (sandwich, chips, cookie, apple) is served |
| 1:00 p.m. | Certificates as a James Otis Lecture Scholar presented to students |
| 1:45-2:00 p.m. | End of program, students released then or at 3:00 p.m. |
presented by TEX-ABOTA
Texas chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates
Contact: Ms. Cay Dickson: (713) 562-4105 (Executive Director)
Mrs. Karen Burgess – (512) 797-0175 (Chair)
Ms. Grace Weatherly – 940-565-6565 (Chair)
Here are relevant documents for the program:
Texas State Capitol Map (students should enter on the East side)
Dress code is slacks, collared shirts, pantsuits, dresses, skirts. No flip flops, no shorts.
Media Release Form_JOL revised 9-14-17 (should we use a group shot on our website)