[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG REPUBLICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2013

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last November, we once again witnessed 
a remarkably low turn-out among this nation's youth. Sadly, the 
majority of the youngest demographic group, our nation's future, 
Republican and Democrat alike, failed to take part in the democratic 
process. I met a group of young high school students trying to buck 
that trend.
  The Bellaire High School Young Republicans, led by Michelle Knesbach, 
Jennifer Knesbach, and Michael Scheinthal, push to create a spirit of 
activism at their high school, in the city of Houston, and around the 
state of Texas. At the age of fourteen, these three students began 
working on local campaigns, block walking on weekends and helping 
fundraise on school nights. Soon after, the three started the High 
School Republicans of Texas, an official auxiliary of the state party 
which focuses on giving a voice to those too young to vote, and 
encourages activism among their schoolmates. Through voter registration 
drives and get out the vote campaigns in their community, the Bellaire 
High School Republicans engage young people in the political process, 
making a difference on Election Day.
  I met this group at a dinner I spoke at and was impressed by their 
initiative. I was invited to speak at their school, and when I walked 
into the building, taking me back to the days of too much homework and 
pop quizzes, I was surprised that around 300 students came to the event 
during their lunch break. We had a discussion, about Hamas, about drug 
cartels, about policy and bipartisanship, topics that I often find bore 
people twice their age; yet they were intrigued. An age group, often 
over-looked, often deemed to not care, was just as fascinated, cared 
just as much, about these vital topics as anyone. The Bellaire Young 
Republicans and the High School Republicans of Texas are changing the 
status quo by inspiring their classmates to avoid being a part of 
another disappointing statistic.
  Campaign events of the future will be full of young faces. Students 
too young to vote learn that they can make a difference, impact their 
state, and impact their country. Further merit should be credited to 
the Bellaire Young Republicans as they fight for ideas that are widely 
rejected by their peers as they work to end the ``youth involvement 
drought'' slowly eroding the Republican Party and the Conservative 
Movement. Looking into the young crowd, I knew there was hope for my 
party and for my county.
  And that's just the way it is.

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