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Tyler Helton
Derby, Kansas
Cable Company: Cox

3/24/04: WASHINGTON, DC

In the year 2000, I was 13 years old. I had been watching a sitcom of some sort, and there was a commercial break. Instead of sitting through the commercials, I made one of the greatest decisions of my life: I began to flip the channels and stumbled across a station called C-SPAN. An individual on the channel had caught my eye: I recognized that it was our Vice President, Al Gore. He was debating with this very tall man, and I soon discovered that his name was Bill Bradley. The more that I listened to the debate, the more forgetful I had become that the commercial break for my sitcom was probably over. I'm glad that I made the life-changing decision that I did to continue to watch the debate.

After awhile, I decided that I didn't like what these politicians were saying. Their views did not coincide with mine, although I had not given much attention to politics until that point. Afterwards, another debate was aired, this time between two politicians named George W. Bush and John McCain. It was after watching these two presidential candidate debates that I felt a sudden call of duty to become involved in the political process of our great country.

For the following three years, I watched the debates on the floors of the House and Senate as often as time would allow. I would familiarize myself with the bills and resolutions, what their implications to the lives of all Americans were, and whether or not they were a right step for our country. I even went as far as to memorize which states the US Senators were from, which party they represented, and what subcommitte they were on. I tried this with the US House of Representatives, but soon discovered how impossible that would be.

I have learned many things about the political process through C-SPAN. It has been a vital source of information in my life, and it continues to be my primary choice for political information today.

Without C-SPAN, I doubt that I would be where I am today. At age 17, I am running for the office of State Senator for my district, and I will turn 18 years old just six days before the candidate registration deadline.

C-SPAN has been an invaluable reference and guide to my campaign. Through C-SPAN's televised coverage of different campaigns and forums on campaign managament, I have learned and discovered ways through which I can successfully run a campaign. The inspiration that C-SPAN has given me has had a far-reaching effect. The number of 16-to-25 year-olds that have become interested in politics because of my candidacy has even amazed an optimist such as myself. We have not even begun our official campaign, and we have already assembled a massive 350-person strong support base of youth. What excites me even more is that they are now regular followers of the news and are well-informed on the current events around the world. We have also helped people who have always felt left out by the poltical process to identify themselves with political parties. Our campaign is truly a bi-partisan effort as members of the Republican, Democratic, Green, and Reform parties have rallied around the Helton 2004 banner.

Without C-SPAN, there would not be a Helton 2004 Campaign, and there would not be a great interest in politics among many youth in society. Without you, C-SPAN, so many of us would not be where we are today.


ONLINE PRESS KIT >>

Contest Winners
Read the essays of the 25 contest winners.

Press Releases
Sep. 28, 2005 -- Winners Named in C-SPAN Viewer Essay Contest Marking 25 Years of Viewer Calls

Sep. 14, 2005 -- C-SPAN Marks 25 Years Of Viewer Calls-Ins With LIVE, 25-Hour Call-In Program On Oct. 7

Aug. 17, 2005 -- C-SPAN Marks 25 Years Of Viewer Calls-Ins With LIVE, 25-Hour Call-In Program On Oct. 7

News Articles
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) - Oct. 10, 2005
Talkers Magazine - Cover Story Oct. 2005
Jewish World Review - Columnist David Brooks, Nov. 1999

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