[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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    RECOGNIZING NORTH DAKOTA'S DELEGATES TO THE SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM

 Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, one of the outstanding programs 
offered in the U.S. Senate recognizes the best of America's high school 
juniors and seniors. Since 1963, the U.S. Senate Youth Program has 
selected two students from each State who rank high academically, excel 
in leadership and volunteerism, and have a passion for public service. 
They also receive a $10,000 college scholarship.
  These young delegates have come to Washington, DC, every spring for a 
week of education and tours highlighting all three branches of 
government. Unfortunately, like so many other programs and events, this 
year's trip to Washington was cancelled as our Nation faces the 
coronavirus threat. This is only the second time in the program's 
nearly 60 years that the delegates have not gathered in Washington for 
this memorable week.
  As one of the eight Senators serving on the Senate Youth Program's 
Advisory Committee, I want to congratulate all who were selected to be 
delegates this year and assure them we share their disappointment they 
could not be with us this month. I also want to recognize North 
Dakota's two delegates, Megha Bharadwaj and Rachel Goven.
  Megha is a junior at St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck. Her 
leadership positions include being the State treasurer for the North 
Dakota Future Business Leaders of America and a board member and 
publicity director for AchieveWE. Megha has received top honors 
participating in school, district, and State competitions in Voices of 
Democracy, debate, speech, and Science Olympiad. In addition, she 
reports for her school newspaper, sings in the jazz choir, and speaks 
at community events. She plans to attend law school and enter the world 
of politics.
  Rachel is a senior at Turtle Lake Mercer High School, where she is 
the vice president of her senior class and involved in Student Council 
and National Honor Society. She attended North Dakota Girls State and 
is a North Dakota rural electric cooperative youth leader. Rachel 
enjoys band and choir, yearbook, cheerleading, and basketball. In her 
church, she is a youth band member and camp counselor and is a willing 
volunteer for other community events.
  I congratulate both Megha and Rachel for receiving this honor and 
welcome them to an alumni group of Senate Youth Program delegates who 
are 5,500 individuals strong. Many of them have gone on to distinguish 
themselves in every area of public service, including two of my 
colleagues, Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Senator Cory Gardner of 
Colorado. I fully expect that I will meet up with Megha and Rachel in 
the future as they continue to excel in academic and professional 
arenas throughout their lives.

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