Senator Pileggi's 2009 Student Leadership Forum

On Friday, May 8, 2009, I hosted my sixth annual Student Leadership Forum: "Student Guide to State Government - A Closer Look."

At this forum, students played the role of "Senators for a Day." They experienced the legislative process first-hand as they played the role of a State Senator in both mock committee hearings and a mock legislative session.

Students chose to participate on one of four possible committees: Communications and Technology, Education, Judiciary, and Public Health and Welfare.

In each of the committee meetings, students discussed, drafted and amended two pieces of legislation. The students had the opportunity to approve each bill as written, amend the bill or table the bill. Legislative staff and lobbyists were assigned to each committee to guide the students through the committee process and assist them where needed.

After the committee hearings, students participated in a mock legislative session. During this session, students debated and ultimately voted on all the legislation approved by the various committees.

The 2009 Student Leadership Forum was an overwhelming success, and my staff and I are looking forward to next year's event.

2008 Student Leadership Forum
2007 Student Leadership Forum
2006 Student Leadership Forum
2005 Student Leadership Forum