Coats Statement on March for Life
Young leaders from Evansville, Granger will represent Indiana in Washington
U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar and Dan Coats today announced that James Hitchcock of Evansville and Florence Chen of Granger were chosen to serve as the Hoosier delegates to the 49th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 5 – 12, 2011, in Washington, D.C. The student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with Senate leadership, other Senators and Congressional staff, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media while in Washington.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for James and Florence,” said Lugar. “This program will create many new opportunities for these Hoosier students. I hope they continue to use the tools and lessons provided during their time in Washington, D.C. as they continue their education in Indiana.”
“I congratulate James and Florence on this outstanding accomplishment,” Senator Coats said. “These talented young Hoosier leaders will have a unique opportunity to learn more about our government firsthand from key policymakers and officials.”
James Hitchcock is president of the Student Council at Signature School where he also participates in the Adventure Club, Conservation Club, Linguistics Club, Math Club, and Tennis Club. In addition, he serves as vice president of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association and Global Volunteers of the Rotary Club of Evansville.
Florence Chen is Student Council Senior Class representative at Penn High School. She also serves as governor of the Hoosier Girls State, captain of Mock Trial, and as a member of Science and Quiz Bowl. Florence placed sixth place in the National Forensic Tournament.
Eric Chien of Zionsville and Sameer Mishra of West Lafayette were chosen as alternates.
ABOUT USSYP
The USSYP was created in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since its inception. Each year this competitive, merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students—two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity—to Washington, D.C., for an intensive weeklong study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The Hearst Foundations provide each delegate with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; no government funds are utilized. The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s Indiana delegates were designated by Dr. Tony Bennett, Superintendent of Public Instruction. For more information, visit http://www.ussenateyouth.org.
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