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August 2007 Along Those Lines
Youth Tour ’07: Impressions for a lifetime!
Indiana’s Sixth District U.S. Rep. Mike Pence points out highlights of the U.S. Capitol to Indiana’s Youth Tour group in June before taking them inside the Capitol, including the halls of Congress, for a private tour.
Photo by Troy Guthrie, Indiana Statewide Association of RECs
Youth Tour creates opportunities and lifelong memories
This was a setting that most Americans are never fortunate enough to see in person.
Yet, a large group of Indiana high school seniors-to-be were sitting in the upper gallery of the United States House of Representatives and listening to actual debate on the House floor. Sixth District U.S. Representative Mike Pence had led the group on a tour of the U.S. Capitol’s Rotunda and Statuary Room before bringing the 65 young people and their chaperones up a regal staircase to the gallery’s entrance.
“They’re debating some immigration-related issues and they’re going to fuss at each other a little,” the Indiana congressman told the group. “But this is an important part of the process. It’s a necessary part of how things get done, and I’m thrilled that you young folks get to see it in action.”
Viewing some of the nation’s lawmakers up close and in action was only one of the string of experiences that made up the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 2007 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in June. Delegates sponsored by local electric cooperatives throughout Indiana took in a bevy of sights and activities in Indianapolis; Gettysburg, Pa.; Baltimore, Md., and the nation’s capital.
After the tour returned to Indianapolis, some delegates vowed they will never look at life the same way again. “I learned that I’m the only person in the world who can hold me back and I can achieve anything I want if I want it bad enough,” Tipmont REMC-sponsored Stacey Houmes said. “I also learned that you have to work with people rather than alone in most cases – like the co-ops working together with each other and their members to create the best service possible.”
“Leaving a lasting impression on young people and stoking their aspirations to make a difference in life is the tour’s mission,” said Lynn Moore, Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Director of Member Relations and Development.
The trip was a first for some Youth Tour delegates. For others, it rekindled previous visits to Washington or other stops. Regardless of the young people’s travel histories, the experience was priceless, said Karen Herbert, a delegate sponsored by Decatur County REMC. “I learned so much about how we are the future and how our country’s history shaped the government we have today,” she said.
Tesia Baker, a Youth Tour delegate sponsored by Jackson County REMC, added, “I realize now that young people can have a voice in government, which is important because we have a chance to make a difference. I also learned not to give up on my goals. Congressman Pence made multiple runs at getting into office and since he was persistent he achieved his goal. That’s how we have to be to reach our goals.” — by Troy Guthrie
Co-op education continues
 Youth Tour delegate Katie Day, sponsored by
Marshall County REMC, will be Indiana’s representative to the Youth
Leadership Council. The program of the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association offers one representative from each state
participating in Youth Tour more leadership training and electric
cooperative education, a return trip to Washington (which was in July),
and a trip to the national co-op association meeting in Anaheim,
Calif., this coming February.
Here's a link for more information about Youth Tour, this year’s and next.
Written By: eceditor
Date Posted: 7/19/2007
Number of Views: 441
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