Youth from Bandera County 4-H were among the participants in the Texas 4-H Congress, held at the State Capitol July 14-17. T he event provided a unique, hands-on legislative experience for 4-H members in grades 9 through 12, simulating the roles of legislators, lobbyists, and press corps.
Elliora Groot and Ester Groot from Bandera County attended as delegates, joining approximately 300 youth and chaperones from across Texas.
The Texas 4-H Congress, which convenes every two years, offers senior-level 4-H members the opportunity to draft and debate their own bills, focusing on issues pertinent to Texas and its youth.
The four-day event kicked off with delegate meetings at the Sheraton Austin Hotel on Sunday, before moving to the Capitol for legislative sessions on Monday and Tuesday.
Participants experienced the full legislative process, with the ultimate aim of seeing their bills reach the office of the 4-H Governor to potentially become “law.”
“Texas 4-H Congress is the event where 4-H members learn about the governmental processes by writing and debating bills,” said Montza Williams, Director of the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program. “Tackling issues that are important to the membership and having the opportunity to discuss those issues with people who may or may not agree with you is a skill that every person needs to learn. These youth are our future, and we will be better off as they learn more about how government works.”
