John McCain has been the Arizona senator since I have lived in the great state of Arizona. Senator McCain is one of my favorite people, not only because he has had a cameo on Parks and Recreation, or that he’s a hero in my eyes, but because he is one of the people in Congress that I truly admire. His ability to have and maintain friendships across the aisle, his humility and ability to say he’s imperfect, and his dedication to his county is second to none.
I encourage you to watch For Whom The Bell Tolls on HBO. It shows an age of politics that is slowly becoming extinct. This is evident in his speech to the Senate on July 25. John McCain gave his life for the service of this country. In my eyes, he is a true American hero.
My AP class is wrapping up Congress and as an Arizona citizen and teacher, I felt that closing it with the speech is the best tribute to our Senator. The prompt I wrote is also a good lead into the Presidency.
This speech is incredible, and it fits in with so many of our standards and a FRQ practice fits in nicely.
1. Argumentative Essay Prompt:
Senator John McCain addressed a full Senate in July of 2017. Some have compared this speech to Washington’s Farewell address. Defend or refute the statement that John McCain’s speech to the Senate was the modern day Farewell Address. (John McCain read Washington’s Farewell Address to the Senate on February 16, 1987 in a tradition that is carried out each year by a different Senator)
Use the following documents:
- Washington’s Farewell Address
- Federalist 10
- US Constitution
- Article 1, Section 8
** I am giving my students Washington’s Farewell Address and McCain’s Speech.
2. Writing prompt: Using Senator McCain’s speech, find examples of the following:
- Checks and Balances
- Separation of Powers (Federalist 51)
- Roles of the Senate (Constitution)
Thank you, Senator McCain for your dedication to our state and our country.
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