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National Young Leaders Conference provides inroads for U.S. future

[JUNE 22, 2004]  WASHINGTON -- Miss Melissa Moreland of Springfield, Va., has been selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference July 5-15 in Washington, D.C. Moreland’s father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Moreland, reside in Lincoln.

The National Young Leaders Conference is a unique leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit. Moreland will be one of approximately 350 outstanding scholars from around the country at the conference.

The theme of the conference is "The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today." During the event, Moreland will interact with a variety of personnel who operate within the three branches of government, the news media and the international community.

"We often hear from members of Congress, political appointees and members of Washington’s press corps that it is a privilege to meet and interact with students like Melissa Moreland because they are the face of our country’s future," said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors the conference. "What these students learn at the National Young Leaders Conference will enable them to build coalitions with one another and exercise their own leadership skills within communities around the country."

Highlights of past conferences have included welcoming remarks from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and a panel discussion with prominent journalists at the National Press Club, in addition to meeting with senators and representatives or appointed staff members to discuss important issues facing the nation.

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To complement the schedule of special meetings and briefings, Moreland will also participate in a number of leadership skill-building activities and simulations. In a role-play activity titled "If I Were President," students act as the president and cabinet members responding to an international crisis. Students also participate in "Testing the Constitution," in which they examine actual Supreme Court cases. The conference culminates with the "Model Congress," in which participants assume the roles of U.S. representatives. They debate, amend and vote on proposed mock legislation.

Moreland’s hobbies include piano and dance, and she is currently pursuing the Gold Award as a Senior Girl Scout. She said, "I am very excited about my opportunity to participate in the Young Leaders Conference this year."

The Congressional Youth Leadership Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. Founded in 1985, the council is committed to fostering and inspiring young people to achieve their full leadership potential. More than 400 members of the U.S. Congress join this commitment by serving on an honorary board to advise the council. More than 40 embassies are also represented on an honorary board for the council.

For additional information, visit www.cylc.org.

[News release]

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