Press Release: Texas Lyceum Launches National Campaign for Civility

Press Release

Texas Lyceum Launches National Campaign for Civility

Statewide Leadership Organization Calls for Return of Civility in Politics While Swearing in New President and Directors at State Capitol 

AUSTIN – Jan. 30, 2025 -- The Texas Lyceum, widely considered the Lone Star State’s premier non-profit, non-partisan, statewide leadership organization, today officially launched a national Campaign for Civility, calling on elected officials at all levels of government nationwide to embrace civil discourse as they conduct the business of government. The campaign also challenges everyday Texans to hold themselves accountable for how they treat one another and encourages them to engage in civil and respectful dialogue on important issues affecting the state and the nation.

“As the newly elected and returning officials take their oaths of office, civility in politics and public discourse is essential – now more than ever,” said Crayton Webb, 2025 president of The Texas Lyceum. “Today we call on all elected officials at the local, state and federal levels to adopt core values and principles which have stood the test of time and, indeed, are at the cornerstone of our democracy: to engage in civil discourse on critical public policy issues facing our communities; to seek to understand before being understood; and to exercise the ability to disagree without being disagreeable.”

Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, The Texas Lyceum has a long history of bringing together civic and business leaders of diverse opinions and expertise to find common ground and engage in robust and civil discourse on state and national issues. With a deep commitment to the future of Texas, the organization aims to identify and develop the next generation of leadership in the state and to drive public policy decisions to promote the stewardship of Texas values, traditions and resources.

“Our leaders in both political parties set the tone for all citizens,” said Webb. “Name-calling and character assassination from either side of the political aisle isn’t constructive. There must always be room for diverse perspectives to be passionately argued and thoughtfully debated. Debate is the lifeblood of democracy, and passionate discourse should never mean losing sight of the fact that we are all Texans, and we are all Americans. How we argue matters as much as what we argue, and civility must return to our political process.”

The campaign was announced Thursday from the Senate Floor of the State Capitol Building during the Lyceum’s annual Investiture program in Austin. Twenty-six new Directors were sworn in and joined the ranks of the Lyceum, along with Webb, who was sworn in as president of the organization.

Joining the ceremony as guest speakers were The Hon. Margaret Spellings, former secretary of education under President George W. Bush and now the president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C.; and Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas. Both are alumni of the Lyceum.

At any given time, the Lyceum has 96 active Directors and a robust alumni network. Notable Lyceum alumni include President George W. Bush, U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Kay Bailey Hutchison, Governors Greg Abbott and Rick Perry, U.S. Congressmen Chris Bell, Pete Gallegos, Marc Veasey, Sheila Jackson Lee, Chancellor John Sharp and countless others who have gone on to major elected and appointed public service accomplishments and to lead substantial corporate, non-profit, educational or civic organizations.

New Directors joining the Texas Lyceum as the Class of 2025 include:

Over the course of 2025, Lyceum Directors will gather for conferences focused on artificial intelligence and public policy; the diverse backgrounds and communities that make up our Texas heritage; immigration and the Texas economy; the future of journalism and media; and the state of law enforcement and policing. In addition to these programs, the Lyceum will release the results of its nationally acclaimed Texas Lyceum Poll at a special news conference during the Texas Legislative Session in April.

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ABOUT THE TEXAS LYCEUM

The Texas Lyceum is the premier non-profit, non-partisan, statewide leadership organization focused on identifying the next generation of top Texas leaders. The organization has 96 active Directors from around the state, and alumni go on to serve our communities, state, and nation in significant ways. Texas Lyceum alumni have served as president of the United States, White House staff, U.S. Senators & House Members, ambassadors, in the Governor’s Mansion, the Texas Legislature, and in corporate leadership. Throughout its 45-year history, the Lyceum has explored topics ranging from education to energy, and criminal justice to banking. The goal of the Lyceum is to inform, engage, and spark debate among Texans about the important issues facing our state. To learn more, visit texaslyceum.org.