Subject: Should Terms of Those Serving In The House of Representatives
Be Limited? Why, How or Why Not?

Press Release

Junior and senior high school students from 29 states participated in the 1990 Harry Singer Foundation essay contest, "Should Terms Of Those Serving In The House Of Representatives Be Limited? Why, How Or Why Not?"

32% of the participants wanted to extend the length of individual terms served by a Representative whereas 65% preferred to go along with the current two year terms. 39% said there should be no limit to the number of terms served but a majority of 58% thought limits were needed. 48% of the participants thought terms should be limited by legislation, 49% said voters should do the limiting at the ballot box and 3% could not decide.

Proposed limits on terms ranged from two terms of six years each to twelve 2 year terms. Term lengths of 3, 4, 5 and even 6 years ("like Senators'") were mentioned. One student from Kansas and another from New Jersey cast their votes for life-time terms.

A detailed breakdown by state of the various suggestions was available.

The non-partisan Harry Singer Foundation was established in 1988 to promote greater individual involvement in government and society. The subject of last year's high school essay contest was "Social Security: Problems and Alternatives For The 21st Century".

The Harry Singer Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It depends on strictly volunteer labor and contributions of cash and other assets from the founders to pay for all administrative expenses and overhead. It does not solicit for public funds and receives no funding from government sources.

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