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2002 SESSION

020961868
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 392
Offered February 14, 2002
Commending the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies.
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Patrons-- Nixon, Baskerville, Bland, Cox, Hall, Hargrove, Ingram, Janis, Jones, D.C., Marrs, McDougle, Miles, O'Bannon, Reid and Ware; Senators: Bolling, Lambert, Marsh, Martin, Stosch and Watkins
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WHEREAS, the Second Annual Virginia Youth Policy Forum convened on October 10, 2001, 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 Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, the first Virginia Youth Policy Forum, held on October 4, 2000, was envisioned by Sid Dante, Kevin Fogg, Catherine Neale, and Joy Rosenthal, students at the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies; and

WHEREAS, the Second Annual Virginia Youth Policy Forum was led by Catherine Neale, Ben Easter, John Kennedy, Steven Crowe, Elspeth England, Jeff Federspiel, Donovan McGill, Jessamyn Liu, and Brian Meyers, students at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies; 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, prepared the materials for use within each of the small groups during the day, and worked to secure funding from private donors; and

WHEREAS, on the day of the event, approximately 30 Governor's School students worked to register students and their teachers; to moderate and facilitate the discussions of the participants; and to assist teachers and dignitaries as they visited small group sessions to listen as students discussed issues, prioritized and selected one, and prepared their presentations; and

WHEREAS, four student representatives elected by their groups made presentations to a panel of legislators on the issues of Standards of Learning, teen driving laws, teacher salaries, and civic education; 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; and

WHEREAS, not only did the 100 students gain a new perspective on democracy and political participation, but the program was replicated by individual schools across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Second Annual Youth Policy Forum bodes well for the continuation of this program annually in Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the dedicated students from the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly commend the 100 students who took part in the Second Annual Virginia Youth Policy Forum on October 10, 2001; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the General Assembly join with the students of the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies and the students who attended the Virginia Youth Policy Forum in support of the Forum's remaining an annual event.