Pete Sessions Congratulates North Texas Students for Texas Leadership Forum Completion

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX-32) joined Today Foundation President Gary Griffith in congratulating North Texas students who have completed participation in the Today Foundation's Texas Leadership Forum, which included a conference in Washington, DC from June 12 -- June 18, 2011.

Hosted by Congressman Pete Sessions, the Texas Leadership Forum (TLF) conference provided qualified students from select high schools, including Dallas and Irving area high schools, with a unique, inside view of national government operations and public policy debates in Washington, DC. Participants included 15 students from eight Dallas-area high schools as well as two students from Jefferson-area high schools.

"The Texas Leadership Forum is about engaging young minds to consider, challenge and thoughtfully articulate the public policy debates facing our government as they develop their leadership skills for service in the future," stated Sessions, who is the honorary chair of TLF. "All TLF participants have proven their commitment to learning and contributing to their communities, and the opportunity to see Washington firsthand will aide them in future goals of civic responsibility and leadership."

The TLF conference events included educational tours and meetings at the Capitol, Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the Newseum and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO). During the week, students observed House committee hearings and attended a private speaking forum featuring several Washington leaders, including Congressman Allen West (FL-22), Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-21) and Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco (TX-23).

Each student is selected based upon his or her academic performance, community involvement and leadership ability. Application requirements include a résumé, two one-page essays and a letter of recommendation by a teacher, principal, counselor or community leader. TLF program requirements include attending local forum meetings, visiting with state officials in Austin, participating in the one-week Washington, DC conference and completing projects and writing assignments.

"I value the opportunity to discover the perspectives and aspirations of young citizens in my district. I applaud their perseverance, discernment and quest for learning that has enabled them to advance in their community and excel in the Texas Leadership Forum," Sessions said. "The leadership skills they have developed will serve them well in their future educational and professional goals, and I look forward to hearing of their continued success."

Texas Leadership Forum Students: Adan Gonzalez of Dallas; Emmanuel Tamayo of Dallas; Danielle Huerta of Dallas; Courtney Crawford of Dallas; Hollie Edwards of Dallas; Bree Chatman of Irving; Areli Ramos-Morales of Irving; Yoel Zehaie of Dallas; Harvey Tovar of Dallas; Jordan Shelton of Irving; Erika Minshall of Irving; Toby Renteria of Dallas; Virgi Moreno of Dallas; Isaiah Rice of Dallas; Greer Gardner of Dallas; Bailey Fratangelo of Jefferson; and Benjamin Bode of Jefferson.

The Texas Leadership Forum is a program of the Today Foundation, which seeks to foster civic involvement, leadership and character building in high school students while educating them about government and public policy.

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