Panel Explores Legacy of Senator Jacob K. Javits at Stony Brook

A recent panel discussion at Stony Brook University focused on the legacy of U.S. Senator Jacob K. Javits, delving into his significant contributions to civil rights, social justice, the arts, and environmental protection during his more than three decades in public office. The event, held on September 9, 2023, highlighted the ongoing relevance of Javits’s ideals in today’s political climate.

The panel coincided with a notable milestone as the Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation announced a generous donation of $1 million to create the largest endowment for SBU Libraries. This funding will support the preservation and accessibility of the Senator Jacob K. Javits Collection, ensuring that scholars, elected officials, and the public can engage with his extensive body of work.

Reuben Kline, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and host of the panel, reflected on Javits’s political legacy, stating, “His political brand was bipartisanship, civil rights, civic justice, and public service. Unfortunately, these are values we see less of these days. What we’ll talk about today is how we can still embody the Javits spirit in this day and age.”

The discussion began with a survey of attendees regarding the transparency of current government institutions. A striking 96 percent of more than 100 respondents indicated they felt government institutions are not sufficiently transparent. Reed Howard, chief strategy and public affairs officer for the Future Caucus, a nonpartisan network of Millennial and Gen Z lawmakers, addressed this decline in accountability.

“Institutions require transparency in order to serve,” Howard remarked. “The best types of leaders are the ones who return to their communities to inform them about their actions on behalf of their constituents. If you’re asking for someone’s vote, you must be accountable for what you did because of that vote.”

Assemblyman Edward Ra, who has represented New York’s 19th Assembly District since 2010, echoed these sentiments. He discussed the effectiveness of New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) but acknowledged the challenges of transparency in practice. Ra stated, “It’s interesting looking at the survey in this room because it shows most people agree that transparency is important for honest government. Yet, it’s very hard to get the public to care about issues that are essential to fixing government.”

The panel also examined the themes of bipartisanship and political integrity, central to Jacob Javits’s career. Jud Sommer, a former executive assistant to Javits, expressed concern over the current political landscape, noting, “I’m really heartened that many young people here have hope for the future. However, during Javits’s time, meaningful legislation could pass through Congress with support from both parties, which is simply not possible today.”

Ra emphasized the necessity of dialogue between political parties. “It’s so easy for people to only engage with media that echoes their existing beliefs,” he remarked. “When you realize that many perceived political differences stem from unique district needs, it becomes easier to understand others’ viewpoints.”

For Kline, the panel provided a valuable opportunity for students to learn about a more collaborative era in politics, one that he believes can be rekindled. “The generosity of the Javits family is what made all of this possible,” he stated. “Since Senator Javits and Assemblyman Ra are known for their bipartisanship, it was refreshing for students to gain insight into the less cynical aspects of politics.”

Javits had a longstanding relationship with Stony Brook University. In 1981, he donated his papers, which document his 34 years in public service, to the university, expressing hope that they would inspire future creativity in governmental endeavors. Today, the Senator Jacob K. Javits Collection stands as the largest archival collection at the university’s Special Collections, boasting over 2 million items.

The funding for the Jacob K. Javits Collection Engagement Fund will be enhanced through the New York State endowment match program and the Simons Infinity Investment Match Challenge, effectively tripling the impact of this significant endowment. For more information, visit stonybrook.edu/endowments.

The event not only honored Javits’s legacy but also aimed to inspire current and future generations to engage in public service and policy-making to strengthen democracy and foster trust within society.