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***Frequently Asked Questions***

***About the United States Senate Youth Program***

***How was the Senate Youth Program founded?***

The program began in 1962 when Senate Resolution 324 was introduced by
Senators Tom Kuchel (R-CA) Assistant Minority Leader, Mike Mansfield
(D-MT) Majority Leader, Everett Dirksen (R-IL) Minority Leader and
Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) Assistant Majority Leader. The impetus was to
create a program for high school students that would "increase young
Americans' understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches
of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and
appointed officials, and the vital importance of democratic decision
making not only for America but for people around the world." The Hearst
Foundation pledged to support the funding and administration of the
program as long as the Senate would sponsor it. The Senate passed S.
Res. 324 on May 17, 1962 and has continued its sponsorship of the Senate
Youth Program by unanimous action each year through the Senate Rules
Committee.

***How are the student delegates selected?***

Two high school juniors or seniors are selected each year from each
state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education
Activity to serve as delegates to Washington Week. The 104 student
delegates also receive a \$5000 undergraduate college scholarship with
encouragement to continue their studies in government and history.
Public and private high school teachers and principals nominate
qualified students beginning in early fall. To qualify students must
hold student body office or another elected or appointed position in
their communities and show academic interest and aptitude in government,
history and politics. Many states administer a comprehensive public
affairs, government and history test prepared annually for the program
by a college professor of political science and states may also ask for
additional essays and/or personal interviews. The chief state school
officer in each state makes the final selection by December 1. The
program is merit-based and highly competitive and the chosen delegates
are consistently outstanding. For details see
[www.ussenateyouth.org](http://www.ussenateyouth.org/): "How to
Qualify."

***What happens during Washington Week?***

Washington Week is an intensive week of unparalleled educational
activities in the nation's capital encompassing the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of government as well as a perspective
on America from abroad. Events include meeting with the Senate
Co-Chairs, Senate leadership and Senate parliamentarian and historian, a
Justice of the Supreme Court, the President, officials from the
Departments of State and Defense and other executive agencies, a foreign
ambassador to the U.S. and senior members of the media. At each event
the question and answer session is extensive giving the students direct
interaction with the speaker. The Department of Defense also provides a
team of selected military officers to accompany the delegates throughout
the program. A highlight of the week is the annual Senate Youth Program
Reception, taking place this year on March 5, from 5 -- 7 pm.

***USSYP FAQ \--2***

***What role do Senators and Senate staff have in the program?***

Every year, two Senators are chosen, one from each party, to serve as
the program's Co-Chairs and eight additional Senators are chosen for the
bipartisan Senate Advisory Committee, which serves in name only. The
Honorary Co-Chairs are always the Vice President of the United States,
the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader. The Senate
Co-Chairs agree to address the students at separate speaking engagements
and invitations to other speakers are signed by the Co-Chairs on full
Committee letterhead. USSYP staff works closely with the Senate
Co-Chairs' offices to facilitate all communication and event
arrangements. All Senators are invited to meet their student delegates
and present them with their scholarship certificates at the annual
Senate Youth Program Reception, which takes place on Wednesday of
Washington Week in the Senate Caucus Room. Senators are photographed
there with their student delegates for the USSYP yearbook -- a 46-year
tradition. Senate education and press staff can also help promote the
program in their states through websites, press releases, newsletters
and meetings with educators. USSYP staff are available year-round to
support Senate staff outreach or inquiries.

***How can a Senate office support the program?***

Senate staff can help support the USSYP in various ways. One easy step
is to put a link to the USSYP website
[www.ussenateyouth.org](http://www.ussenateyouth.org/) on the Senator's
website -- especially if you have an 'education' section \-- so that
students or teachers searching the Senator's site can be made aware of
the program. Standard language summarizing the program is available for
website use. The program can be mentioned in the Senator's newsletter
and in press releases -- best timing: early fall to alert teachers and
principals to nominate students and in January to congratulate the
winners. Another idea is to add USSYP as a talking point when meeting
with high school educators in your state. When the delegates are
selected each December, USSYP staff will send all Senate press
secretaries and education LAs the names and addresses of the winners and
many Senators send a personal letter of congratulations to the
delegates. Finally, please help us to ensure that all Senators attend
the 46^th^ annual USSYP Senate reception to be held this year on
**Wednesday,** **March 5, 2008, from 5-7 p.m. in SR 325.** [This event
is the one certain opportunity that all delegates have to meet with
their Senators.]{.underline} At the reception photos are taken for the
USSYP yearbook and Senators ask the delegates about their Washington
Week experience and congratulate them on receiving their college
scholarships. Although is takes only a short time, it is an important
highlight of the week for the students.