As a senior at Caribou High School in 1971, I participated in a program that would change my life. It is called the United States Senate Youth Program, and it has been going strong for almost fifty years.
Sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the U.S. Senate Youth Program annually chooses two student leaders from each state to spend an educational week in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action. Throughout this week, the student delegates meet with Senators, cabinet members, directors of federal agencies, even Supreme Court justices, and often, the President.
When I was chosen to participate in 1971, I had never flown on an airplane, had never been to Washington, and had never met a U.S. Senator. But I had learned from my parents, both of whom were actively serving community, state, and non-profit organizations, the importance of getting involved. I was president of the student council and active in other school organizations as well.
One of the highlights of Washington Week is always the opportunity to meet with Senators from one's home state. I was fortunate to have had the chance to meet with a true giant of the Senate, Senator Margaret Chase Smith. She was the first woman to serve in both the House and the Senate, the first woman to serve on the Armed Services Committee, and the first woman to have her name entered into nomination for President by a major party.
Senator Smith was a legend, and I was so excited to meet her. Our meeting lasted nearly two hours. We discussed many important issues and she answered my many questions, but what I remember most was her telling me always to stand tall for what I believed, citing her courageous "Declaration of Conscience" speech. I have a framed copy of this speech, a gift from Senator Smith, that now hangs in my Washington office where it is a constant source of inspiration.
At that time, I had no idea that one day my fellow Mainers would elect me to represent them in the U.S. Senate. Now, in my third term in the Senate, I continue to be a proud holder of the seat once held by Senator Smith. I am also honored to be the first former Senate Youth Program delegate who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate. Given this distinction, it was my pleasure to recently congratulate newly elected Congressman Cory Gardner of Colorado for being the first Senate Youth Program delegate ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
As the 49th annual Senate Youth Program program kicked-off recently, I also was delighted to welcome David Bibeau of Scarborough and Krysta Moulton of Athens as the 2011 delegates from Maine. I had the pleasure of meeting with David and Krysta at a Senate Youth Program event on Capitol Hill, and it is clear these extraordinary young people have very bright futures ahead of them. David serves as secretary of the student council at Scarborough High School, where he also participates in Congressional Debate, Mock Trial, and Model United Nations. For the past two years, David has been the state champion in Congressional Debate. He is also active on his school's soccer and alpine ski racing teams, and hopes to study international relations in college. Krysta serves as class president at Madison Area High School, where she is a senior mentor and president of the National Honor Society. Krysta is also a member of Business League and is a track and field athlete and active in 4-H. Krysta hopes to attend law school and eventually become an FBI agent.
I congratulate these two outstanding young people, and I hope that they will see a side of the federal government that too often gets lost in news reports that focus on conflict. Although Senators come from different parties and different parts of the country, we are united by a dedication to serving our nation.
All of the students who participate in this year's program will be impressed, as I was, by the importance of getting involved, and of serving the public. They will learn that their commitment to scholarship, leadership, and community service will take them anywhere they want to go.