Submitted by Parker L., a Home School Junior from Valley View:

In its second year of existence, the Congressional Youth Advisory Council’s (CYAC) first meeting of the 2007-08 school year was held at the North Richland Hills City Hall on Saturday, October 27, 2007. The discussion topic was intergovernmental relations and relayed to the attending students by elected officials representing federal, state and local government who must day-by-day stay in touch with other leaders to mutually serve their communities and constituencies. The knowledgeable panel of public servants included: U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26); Representative Kelly Hancock, Texas House District 91; Glen Whitley, Tarrant County Judge; Bobbie Mitchell, Denton County Commissioner Precinct 3; Gary Hollowell, Commissioner Cooke County Precinct 1; and the host, Oscar Trevino, Mayor, City of North Richland Hills.

Forty junior and senior high school students, who were nominated by the principals of their schools, attended the meeting and interacted with the government panel, posing questions related to their roles of elected officials. Youth attending represented high schools from all over the 26^th congressional district, including public, private, and home schools.

The goal of the CYAC is to provide the means by which students can learn how government works, the challenges public servants face each day, and to inform students how they can serve their community now and in the future. It’s a one-on-one environment designed specifically for youth to ask questions and receive answers directly from those who know. There will be three more CYAC meetings this school year, each one covering a different subject matter.

At the left, please click on the student's name to read their report.