“We must live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.”  This week, we remembered the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King lived a life of compassion and respect for all that is still a preeminent example for our nation today.  One year ago, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and I founded the Civility and Respect Caucus, and Dr. King’s words are an important inspiration for our mission.

We launched our caucus not to change people’s opinions, beliefs, or political affiliation, but to show that success comes from joining together, not tearing each other apart.  Congresswoman Beatty and I have collaborated on a number of issues together, from combatting youth homelessness and human trafficking to supporting our veterans and promoting financial literacy, and we know that conversation alone lead to better solutions and helps to build the trust that allows us to serve Central Ohio more effectively.  

I am grateful that we were joined by twenty-two of our colleagues, evenly divided among Democrats and Republicans, who all committed to spreading this message of civility in the halls of Congress and at home in their districts.  For example, late last year, Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA) joined his partner, Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on a tour of his district that included a meeting with the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a tour of the University of Washington-Tacoma.  Even as we see elected officials grappling over appropriations bills for the agencies impacted by the lapse in funding, it is inspiring to see people from coast to coast engaging in important conversations about civility, and I am proud of our Caucus for starting some of those dialogues and setting positive examples.

It is important to remember that vilifying individuals or attacking one’s motives will not resolve problems.  Listening respectfully and attempting to understand those on the other side of the table will be more productive than digging in and refusing to compromise.  As Dr. King said, “[p]eople fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other, and they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”

That is why one of my top priorities in the 116^th Congress is to grow the Civility and Respect Caucus so that we can reach even more Americans.  While we are starting with our fellow Representatives, we are asking the rest of the nation to join us in our efforts to revive civility.  This will not cure incivility, but I am hopeful that we can show that there is a better way – a way to disagree without being disagreeable.

There is plenty of work to be done in the 116^th Congress, but I hope each day we can focus on treating one another well and following the example of Dr. King.  If you would like to learn more about the Civility and Respect Caucus, please call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2015, my Hilliard office at (614) 771-4968, my Lancaster office at (740) 654-2654, or my Wilmington office at (937) 283-7049.

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