- May 16, 2012
Carper, Coons, Carney host annual youth conference at Wesley College
DOVER, Del. – The annual Congressional Youth Conference hosted by U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney drew 118 juniors from high schools across Delaware to Wesley College in Dover onMonday. Students had the opportunity to interact with the Congressional delegation, and to attend breakout sessions on cyber security, leadership through service, and the impact of digital channels on news. Congressional staff were also on hand to answer questions about the application process for earning a nomination to the United States Service Academies.
The late U.S. Senator Bill Roth hosted the first Youth Leadership Conference in 1969, and hosted it annually until 2000.
“The Congressional Youth Conference is a long-standing tradition of connecting Delaware’s students with resources like workshops and service academy opportunities,” Senator Carper said. “Today’s conference gave me a chance to meet and talk to Delaware’s students about issues affecting them and to discuss the work I am doing on their behalf in Delaware and Washington D.C.”
“For more than 40 years, students attending the Congressional Youth Conference have been benefiting from Senator Roth’s vision,” Senator Chris Coons said. “This tradition provides an opportunity for aspiring leaders from across Delaware to come together, to share ideas, and to gain insight into real world challenges and opportunities. Ithoroughly enjoyed talking with the students about their futures, and I look forward to hearing from them down the road when they’re the next U.S. senator, a scientist, journalist or educator.”
“The Congressional Youth Conference is an excellent way for young people in Delaware to learn about the importance of public service, optionsthey should consider after graduation, and some of the critical challenges facing the nation,” said Congressman Carney. “It’s also a great opportunity for me to hear the opinions of young people regarding the issues facing our nation. We had a productive discussion today, and it’s clear that these students are well on their way to being leaders in our community.”
Participants also took part in a service project where they presented the Food Bank of Delaware with canned good donations.
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