RADNOR, March 8, 2010 – Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) today thanked the students, teachers and local public officials who joined him at Cabrini College for his Second Annual Good Government Seminar on Friday.
Leach said the event, meant to introduce students to the world of government, was a success.
“I was thrilled with the turnout of this year’s Good Government Seminar,” he said. “I enjoyed interacting with these bright students who are truly interested in how state government functions. What is great about this event is that it brings together today’s policy makers and the young civic-minded individuals who will shape tomorrow’s future.”
The Good Government Seminar is an educational forum that utilizes a "mock Senate" format to help local high school students better understand the legislative process. The students had the opportunity to consult with administration and community leaders, legislators and government affairs representatives while they debated proposed legislation in their mock committee meetings.
The mock Senate considered some key bills introduced by Leach, including the Pennsylvania Compassionate Use Act, which would provide for the use of medical marijuana; the Pennsylvania Healthy Youth Act, which would set guidelines for Pennsylvania public schools for teaching comprehensive sex education in schools; and the Marriage Equality Act, which would allow same-sex couples in Pennsylvania to marry. The floor votes were presided over by that day’s Speaker, state Rep. Kathy Manderino, D-Montgomery/Philadelphia.
“I’d also like to thank the community leaders and public officials who joined us at today’s event,” Leach added. “By so generously offering their time and expertise, they were able to guide the students through today’s proceedings and give them a sense of how the legislative process actually works.”
Panelists included Sen. Leach; Rep. Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery; Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia; Rep. Kathy Manderino; Rep. Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery; Rebecca Foley from WOMEN’S WAY; Andy Hoover from the American Civil Liberties Union; Zach Hoover, Chief of Staff to Sen. Leach; Ken Lawrence from Temple University; Brian Sims from the Philadelphia Bar Association; and Jon Tew, Legislative Director to Sen. Leach.
The Second Annual Good Government Seminar hosted students from Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Barrack Hebrew Academy, Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Norristown High School, Radnor High School and Upper Merion High School.
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