Scalia Law Student Riley Goff Featured in National Public Service Review

Riley Goff, a student at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, has earned national recognition with the publication of her article in the Spring 2026 edition of the Public Service Review. Goff, who participated in The Stennis Program for Congressional Interns, contributed the piece titled “Mr. Speaker, I Rise Today… The Power of One Minute Speeches on the House Floor.”

In her article, Goff explores how brief one-minute speeches on the House floor provide Members of Congress with a platform to express gratitude, vulnerability, and recognition toward their constituents. Her work underscores how these short remarks can humanize the legislative process and meaningfully shape how public service is communicated and experienced. Through her experience, Goff gained a new appreciation for how seemingly routine tasks, like preparing certificates for one-minute speeches delivered on the House Floor, can help to shape meaningful engagement between elected officials and the people they serve. Looking ahead, Goff aims to pursue a legal career at the crossroads of policy and criminal justice, guided by a deep awareness of the role of human connection in effective public service.

The Public Service Review, a nationally recognized quarterly publication distributed to Members of Congress, universities, and public service leaders, highlights student reflections on public service and civic engagement. The Spring 2026 edition emphasizes the role of personal connection and reflection in government service, with Goff’s contribution noting how such speeches help bring humanity into formal legislative spaces. 

Goff’s publication not only showcases her academic and professional accomplishments as a Scalia Law student but also provides her with a nationally distributed writing sample, further strengthening her future opportunities in public service and the legal field.