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2001 SESSION
WHEREAS, the first Virginia Youth Policy Forum convened on October 4, 2000, at the State Capitol, with 100 high school and middle school students from across the Commonwealth debating important issues and proposing solutions; and
WHEREAS, the Youth Policy Forum was a student-led initiative created by students at the Governor's School for Government and International Studies in Richmond, following their attendance at the National Youth Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., on April 6, 2000; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Youth Policy Forum was envisioned by Sid Dante, Kevin Fogg, Catherine Neale, and Joy Rosenthal, students at the Governor's School for Government and International Studies; and
WHEREAS, a core group of approximately 10 Governor's School students contacted schools registered with the Virginia Mock Election Coalition and asked teachers to select students to participate; and
WHEREAS, these Governor's School students created the format and schedule for the day, found dignitaries willing to participate, sent schools’ suggestions for developing a school-wide Youth Policy Forum and directions for students preparing for such an event, assembled a portfolio of voter education materials for each of the participants, prepared an official program, developed a training program and a set of detailed directions for group moderators, prepared all materials to be used for registration, and prepared the materials for use within each of the small groups during the day; and
WHEREAS, on the day of the event, approximately 25 Governor's School students worked to register students and their teachers, to moderate and facilitate the discussions of the participants, to assist teachers and dignitaries as they visited small group sessions to listen as students discussed issues, prioritized and selected one issue, and prepared their presentation; and
WHEREAS, four student representatives, elected by their groups, made presentations to a panel of legislators on the issues of education, the death penalty, juvenile crime prevention, and students rights at the closing session of the forum; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Youth Policy Forum was to excite students about the democratic process by involving them in discussions and problem solving related to issues of importance to young people and by providing them the opportunity to share their views with elected officials who provide them feedback on their thoughts; and
WHEREAS, after hearing closing remarks from the Secretary of Education, the 100 students unanimously passed a resolution recommending that the Virginia Youth Policy Forum be convened each year in the chamber of the House of Delegates of Virginia to provide Virginia's youth an opportunity to voice their opinions on issues of importance to elected and appointed officials; and
WHEREAS, not only did the 100 students from 35 middle schools and high schools gain a new perspective on democracy and political participation, but the program was replicated by individual schools across the Commonwealth, including one in a juvenile correctional facility; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the dedicated students from the Governor's School for Government and International Studies; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly join with the students of the Governor's School for Government and International Studies and the students who attended the first Virginia Youth Policy Forum in support of the Forum's becoming an annual event; and, be it
RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Director Paul Tiscornia of the Governor’s School for Government and International Studies as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the students participating in the Virginia Youth Policy Forum.