Local Students Visit Virginia's General Assembly for NOVECs Youth Legislative Day

Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com

MANASSAS, VIRGINIA – The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) guided four selected Northern Virginia high school students to Richmond on February 6, 2007, to see the Commonwealth's legislative process in action.  The students joined six others sponsored by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative for the annual

NOVEC's students were Jessica Martin and Russell Walker of Brentsville High School, Jonathan Oliver, Jr. of Woodbridge High School, and Joseph Sherman of Paul VI Catholic High School.

In a question and answer session with the students, legislative aides to Senator Houck and Delegate Scott discussed their duties and responsibilities, and opportunities for the students to become involved in the legislative and political processes.  The aides said that even though their legislators are from different parties, they work together for the common good of the Commonwealth. 

The students toured the Executive Mansion and the grounds surrounding the General Assembly construction sites.  They observed the House of Delegates and Senate in session, following along in the "dailies" as a particular bill was debated on the floor of the House. 

Jessica Martin said, "This has been an educational event that has really sparked my interest in politics.  Seeing them in action, I am more aware of the impact citizens can have on government.  By speaking up and becoming involved, everyone can have a voice in our democratic process."

The NOVEC Youth Tour for these students began in June 2006 when they visited Washington, D.C., to see how the nation's government works.  They joined more than 1,400 young people from across the country who were sponsored by electric cooperatives.    

Lyndon Baines Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when he addressed the 1957 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Annual Meeting in Chicago. The senator and future president declared, "If one thing goes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents."  

In 1958, a rural electric cooperative in Iowa sponsored 34 young people on a week-long study tour of the nation's capital. Later that same year, another busload came to Washington from Illinois. The idea grew and in 1964 NRECA began coordinating joint activities among delegations during Youth Tour week.  Soon after, NRECA added state capital visits to Youth Tour.

In April 2007, NOVEC will select five high school sophomores and juniors who receive electric power in their homes from NOVEC for the all-expense-paid Youth Tour, which will be June 10-14 in Washington, D.C., and conclude with the Richmond tour in February 2008.  For applications and more information, contact Donna Snellings at 703-392-1511 or dsnellings@novec.com.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is the national service organization dedicated to representing the national interests of cooperative electric utilities and the consumers they serve.

Photo caption:  Russell Walker, NOVEC Communication Manager Inia Burginger, Joseph Sherman, Jessica Martin, Jonathan Oliver, Jr., visit the Governor's Mansion in Richmond.