[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2339-S2340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

        CONGRATULATING CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH CABINET PARTICIPANTS

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize 32 
Arkansans who have taken an interest in playing a positive, productive 
role in their communities, the State of Arkansas, and our country.
  In September, this group of high school students convened as part of 
my

[[Page S2340]]

inaugural Congressional Youth Cabinet, a nonpartisan initiative that 
has allowed these young people firsthand experience engaging in the 
democratic process. Students from each of Arkansas' four congressional 
districts participated in the program, which provided them with 
exposure to the legislative process and opportunities to seek out 
advocacy and civic engagement.
  The goal of the Congressional Youth Cabinet is to foster a lifetime 
commitment to civic engagement and public service. I have been 
impressed with these young Arkansans as they have grown in their 
knowledge of how our government works and the role that public policy 
plays in their everyday lives.
  One project in particular that demonstrates this process involved 
having the participants, grouped together by their congressional 
districts, develop a legislative proposal of their choice between three 
issues: driverless cars, an internet sales tax, or rural broadband. The 
students worked together to craft their proposals on these topics, 
drawing on their own research and background knowledge.
  I was able to help them refine their ideas and offer my advice as to 
how they could make adjustments to their product so as to have the best 
chance of garnering bipartisan support. We also discussed why similar 
legislation had not successfully attracted enough backing to pass 
Congress and become law.
  This program has given these students the chance to think critically 
and carefully about how public policy can have an impact on them, their 
families, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. I am proud of these 
Arkansans for taking a proactive step to learn more about how they can 
make a difference and be a force for good. Their participation in the 
Congressional Youth Cabinet is something we all can take great pride 
in.
  I congratulate them on their hard work and efforts and offer my best 
wishes for the future. I know these students will continue to be 
leaders and doers who give back to their communities. I hope their 
participation in the Congressional Youth Cabinet is something they can 
point to as having made a distinct and significant contribution to 
their development as students and informed, engaged citizens.

                          ____________________