At the end of this Month - tentatively, October 30th - we will hold a debate on the death penalty. In the State of Texas, this is always an issue because of its frequency. This discussion is especially relevant in light of the recent attention the United States Supreme Court has given to the issue. Come join us for a debate and hear what both sides have to say.

We will, of course, have drinks and appetizers after the discussion and Q&A.

Please visit us online for more information or to RSVP.

More about the Future Forum: The purpose of the Future Forum is to expand the involvement of young Texans with the LBJ Library and its programs by initiating dialogue about current issues and by providing educational and cultural information to its members. It is the ultimate goal of the Future Forum to foster greater civic involvement within our community.

The Film Cluster will meet at 7:00 on Monday, October 1 at the Regal Arbor Great Hills to watch In the Shadow of the Moon, a documentary featuring the surviving crew members from NASA's Apollo missions telling their stories in their own words. The film starts at 7:10, so meet in the lobby at 7. For more information, please visit About the Film. This film is a perfect tie-in to an upcoming exhibit at the LBJ Library and Museum. If you're interested in the Film Cluster, please email Nina Hess. See you at the movies!

The Book Club will announce their next book soon. They are choosing between two books, so email Taline if you want to vote. Keep your eyes peeled for more information. If you would like to be added to the Book Club list, please email Taline Manassian.

If you would like to help plan events for the Cultural or Public Policy Clusters, please email the Future Forum.

Future Forum Clusters

The Future Forum serves as a nexus for Austin's leaders. Our members are actively engaged in many organizations. We encourage you to find out more about these Doers and Builders on our website.

The mission of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas (CAFB) is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. In its 26th year of service, CAFB currently provides food and grocery products to 370 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties covering 21,600 square miles. In 2006, CAFB distributed more than 16 million pounds of food. In addition to weekly food distribution, CAFB conducts several programs including Fresh Food for Families, Kids Cafe, Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (HOPE), CHOICES Nutrition Education Program, and the new BackPack Program. With every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide 5 meals. That's because almost 90% of the food they distribute is donated, and because more than 5,000 volunteer hours are donated every month.

For more information about the Capital Area Food Bank, please visit the CAFB website.

Presidential Libraries are the focus of a new presidential history series on C-SPAN. As the nation prepares to elect a new president in 2008, Presidential Libraries: History Uncovered will offer a "behind the scenes" look at the modern American presidency, featuring the most authoritative experts and historians, and never-before-seen resources from the National Archives' twelve Presidential Libraries. Future Forum members are invited to a special live screening and reception of the segment featuring the LBJ Library and Museum on Friday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. The screening and reception will take place in the Brown Room on the tenth floor of the Library. The live, two-hour program will also air on C-SPAN from 7-9 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, please email Sarah Groos.

Presented by The Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law:

October 4, 5-6:30 p.m.: Pitfalls in Democracy Promotion
Marina Ottaway, Director, Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

October 16, 5:30-7 p.m.: The Confidant, his new book on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Glenn Kessler, Reporter, Washington Post

October 18, 5-6:30 p.m.: Executive Power Under Siege
David Rivkin, Partner, Baker Hostetler

These events will take place in the Brown Room on the 10th floor of the LBJ Library and Museum. Tickets are not required.

On September 10 Future Forum members and friends enjoyed an after-hours tour of the Bills, Bills, Bills exhibit and heard an insider's perspective from former Congressman Greg Laughlin, who served many of the same districts as Senator Johnson. Actor Michael Stuart entertained members with his interpretation of Senator Johnson in a replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber.

Back to school, beginning of football season, Labor Day...time to renew your annual Future Forum membership! Renew or join now online, or you may mail a check made payable to the Future Forum to the Library's address: 2313 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78705. General membership is $50 per person.

The Future Forum is now offering the opportunity to auto-renew your membership each year. For more information or to sign up please contact Sarah Groos at (512) 721-0176.

Renew or join now!

Bills, Bills, Bills: Lyndon Johnson as Senate Majority Leader
through May 26, 2008

The exhibit covers Johnson's entire Senate career from his election in 1948 to his election to the vice-presidency in 1961, chronicling his rapid rise to power from a slim margin of victory in 1948 (for which he was given the nickname "Landslide Lyndon") to his selection as Majority Leader in 1955.

The exhibit will feature photos, artifacts, and films about Johnson's historic helicopter campaign in 1948, his career in the Senate, with emphasis on his legendary powers of persuasion, and interactive displays detailing the major bills passed during the 1950s with explanations of how the legislation shaped and impacted modern America. Most notably, visitors will have an opportunity to interact with "Lyndon Johnson," as interpreted by actor Michael Stuart, in a replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber. Stuart will engage visitors in a lively presentation about important legislation such as the creation of NASA, Interstate Highway Bill, Labor Reform, Social Security Reform, Statehood for Alaska and Hawaii, and the first Civil Rights Bill passed since Reconstruction.

For more information on exhibits and Library hours, please visit www.lbjlib.utexas.edu.

There are lots of great events happening in and around Austin.

Shoes For Austin is holding its Party Under The Stars at the Belmont on November 7. For more infomration, check out the Shoes For Austin website.

Come support our past Future Forum speaker Gilbert Tuhabonye and join the EAS RunTex Run for the Water 10 Miler on November 11. The Gazelle Foundation is the beneficiary for the race. As any of y'all that attended our event on Genocide will remember, Gilbert is living proof that good things can come out of difficult situations. The race is part of the Distance Challenge and will be held on November 11, 2007. To encourage the whole family to participate, the event also includes a 5K and 1K. Register for the race here.

Leadership Austin will kick off the Engage Speaker Series on Tuesday, October 2 with a discussion of "How Austin Stacks Up: Defining our place in the global economy." This is the first of eight sessions exploring the question "How does the Austin region fit in this new 'flat world'?"

Leadership Austin, in conjunction with The Seton Cove, is also presenting a Lecture and Workshop with Richard Rohr on October 4 and 5.

Foundation Communities is having its "A Place to Call Home Luncheon" on November 1, 2007. The event will take place from Noon to 1pm at Spring Terrace, 7101 N IH-35. To RSVP, email Robin Bradford at robin.bradford@foundcomm.org.

Thank you for your continued involvement in, and support of, the Future Forum.

Sincerely,

Catherine Robb