Students Learn the Ins and Outs of Local State and Federal Government
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Corpus ChrisitThe first Torres Legislative Camp concluded yesterday at the Del Mar College campus. State Representative Raul Torres (R-Corpus Christi) hosted a team of city county state and federal officials and gave participants a behind the scenes look into government. Twenty-five high school and college-aged students registered for the event and saw a side of the legislative process that few people get to experience.
I sponsored this camp to help these students take the first of many crucial steps to get informed educated and actively participate in our government" said Representative Torres.
The first day of the camp opened with an introduction of elected officials as public servants. It emphasized how to get involved in the electoral process by supporting candidates and causes. Participants discussed the differences between local state and federal governmental entities and the roles they play in our everyday lives.
The second day of the camp focused on the Texas Legislature primarily on how laws and resolutions are passed. Representative Torres shared his experiences as a first time legislator and his work on the House floor during the last legislative session and special session.
I wanted the attendees to benefit from having someone that was actually there in the trenches teach them the process instead of them just reading it out of a textbook" said Torres. I hope that this opens their eyes as to how the entire process works and what it takes to turn an idea into state law."
The final day concluded the camp with an overview of the federal government students learned about the three different branches of the United States government with a guided activity demonstrating the passage of legislation at the national level.
There are many ways to become involved and it is my sincere hope that the attendees will use the hands-on experience to get more involved in their local community as well as at the state and national level" said Torres.
Raul Torres serves as the State Representative for District 33. He is a member of the House Committee on Insurance and the House Appropriations Committee.
