Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/216603
SOCIETY NEWS 2013 Youth Forum Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA) spoke briefly and then took questions from students. O n April 11, area high school students joined Members of Congress and Hill staffers in the Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Auditorium for the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's annual Youth Leadership Forum. This year's theme, "Working Across the Aisle," led speakers (pictured) to reflect on their favorite or proudest accomplishments and even some of decisions they now wish they'd made differently. In addition, Michael Hussey and Christine Blackerby of the National Archives and Records Administration led students through an activity that had them replacing the dialogue in political cartoons to show politicians working together. The final panel of the day included a number of staffers: Jen Becker (Rep. Carolyn Maloney, NY); Cisco Minthorn (Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources); Brett Loper (Speaker John Boehner, OH); and Clare Sierawski (Sen. William Cowan, MA). They answered questions from the students that ranged from political issues to the Hill as a workplace to favorite sports teams. Students came to the microphone to ask questions. USCHS extends our thanks to Washington Gas and Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP for sponsoring the program, which included both lunch and educational materials for all the students and teachers. Former Members of Congress shared their varied experiences with the audience. Panelists included (from left) Rep. Beverly Byron, Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Rep. Vic Fazio. Later in the day, Rep. Connie Morella also spoke to the students. 38 THE CAPITOL DOME Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources staff member Lara Pierpoint SUMMER 2013