Milam students attend 4-H Congress in Austin

Texas 4-H Youth Development Program held Texas 4-H Congress in Austin at the State Capitol July 17-20. Texas 4-H Congress is a fourday mock legislative experience for 4-H members in grades 9 to 12, where 4-H members assume the roles of legislators, lobbyists and press corps to gain a firsthand understanding of how the legislative process works.

Each participant writes and submits his own bill to be taken through the legislative process that week. Bills that are written and sponsored by 4-H members focus on issues concerning Texas and Texas youth.

The four-day event began on Sunday with delegate meetings at the Sheraton Austin Hotel. The event moved into the Capitol Monday and Tuesday for sessions.

“Texas 4-H Congress is the event where 4-H members learn about the governmental processes by writing and debating bills,” said Texas 4-H Youth Development Program Director Montza Williams said. “Of course, the goal is to have your specific bill reach the office of the 4-H Governor so that it could become ‘law.’ ”

“This mock legislative event is a great way for experiential learning to happen at its finest,” he added. “Tackling issues that are important to the membership and having the opportunity to discuss those issues with people who may or may not agree with you is a skill that every person needs to learn. These youth are our future, and we will be better off as they learn more about how government works.”