Constitutional Chats
Live podcast hosted by Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and students: Tova Love Kaplan, Jorne Gilbert and Jewel Gilbert
Topic: Live Podcast: 153 – The House and Senate Today
When: Tuesday 02/14/2022 at 2:00 pm ET
Join us weekly as we chat with Constitutional experts on hot-topic issues via Zoom! The audience is not on camera but is encouraged to ask questions via the Q&A.
Meet the Guest
Congressman Mike Lawler
Congressman Mike Lawler proudly represents New York’s 17th Congressional District which includes Rockland county, Putnam county and portions of Westchester and Dutchess counties. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Mike Lawler represented New York’s 97th District in the State Assembly where he served on the Committees on Aging, Banks, Education, Housing, and as the Ranking Member on Governmental Operations.
In the State Assembly, Mike passed more bills than any other member of his conference, a testament to his bipartisan, pragmatic approach to government. In just one term, he was able to successfully pass legislation that included additional funding for law enforcement and first responders, tax relief for middle class families, and historic funding increases for our schools in the Hudson Valley.
Mike has a long history of public service. Prior to being elected to the State Assembly, he served as the Deputy Town Supervisor in Orangetown and was a Senior Advisor to the Westchester County Executive.
Mike also served as Executive Director of the State Republican Party and previously founded his own government affairs and public relations firm. He graduated from Manhattan College with degrees in Accounting and Finance and was Valedictorian of his graduating class.
Mike is a lifelong Hudson Valley resident. He grew up in Rockland County and graduated from Suffern High School. Mike lives in Pearl River with his wife, Doina and their daughter Julianna.
Congressman Mike Lawler
Meet the Hosts
Janine Turner
Actress Janine Turner is famous for her role as Maggie O’Connell in television’s Northern Exposure. She is the Founder and Co-President of Constituting America which launched in 2010. She is still acting but is also actively teaching kids about the U.S. Constitution and has given over 540 speeches to classrooms across the country.
Cathy Gillespie
Cathy Gillespie is the Chair of Constituting America, a former Congressional Chief of Staff and former Commissioner of the White House Fellows Commission. She is currently serving as one of 16 private citizens serving on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, helping organize the celebration of our country’s 250th birthday in 2026!
Tova Love Kaplan
Tova Love Kaplan is a student at Harvard University. She currently serves as the National Youth Director for Constituting America and runs the National Youth Advisory Council. She is a three-time winner of the “We The Future” Contest and is passionate about educating and empowering young people to use their constitutional rights!
Jorne Gilbert
Jorne Gilbert is a recent graduate of Moravian University where he designed a major entitled Dramatic Production and Musical Performance. He used what he learned to further develop the charitable organization Sing For America which he co-founded to produce musicals portraying the art of Truth and Light.
Jewel Gilbert
Jewel Gilbert is Executive Producer of Sing for America, a charity founded by him and his family. Sing for America reveals the Art of Truth and Light through live performance. He is the Operations Director for a new business venture, J. Barker Paving. Jewel holds a BA in Musical Performance/Dramatic