Young Arkansans are earning national recognition for achievements in community service, academics, athletics, and even acts of heroism. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) highlighted the dedication and talent of students across the state, emphasizing their potential to shape Arkansas’s future.
Senator Boozman recently met with youth involved in agriculture, health care, civic engagement, and journalism. He noted that these young people show a strong desire to learn and improve themselves and their communities.
“As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, I was pleased to meet with Arkansas’s Future Farmers of America State Officer Team and the Arkansas 4-H’ers recently. They represent our next generation of agricultural leaders, and I am confident their experiences, as well as the lessons they are learning and the friendships they are building, will last a lifetime. I have personally witnessed the benefits of active involvement with my own daughters who were 4-H members and state record book winners,” Boozman said.
Lawmakers have had many opportunities to engage with students interested in various causes. This year, Senator Boozman has met with young people advocating for diabetes research, members of the Arkansas Educational Theatre Association discussing performing arts involvement, and aspiring environmental sciences students considering future careers.
“Just last week, I was impressed by the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation and American Legion Boys Nation students who were selected to participate as senators in a mock legislature to learn about civic engagement. These outstanding and bright high school students demonstrated their enthusiasm for public policy and were excellent ambassadors for our state,” Boozman said.
Senator Boozman’s offices in Washington D.C. and Arkansas provide programs for young people to learn about government operations. College students serve as congressional interns working on policy and communications teams at the federal level or assist state-based staff in constituent advocacy work.
High school juniors can apply for his office’s Congressional Youth Cabinet or participate in the Senate Page program. The Congressional Youth Cabinet begins each October and offers public policy discussions that result in legislative solutions presented to Senator Boozman’s team. Senate Pages work on Capitol Hill supporting daily Senate operations while observing legislative debates firsthand.
“Meeting and learning about the young men and women who pursue these opportunities is truly rewarding. It is a pleasure to play a small part in their journey to cultivate knowledge and skills that not only serve them well but help my staff and I better serve our state,” he said.
“As a U.S. Senator, I have the privilege of interacting with many of the leaders of tomorrow. I am grateful to students who take the time to involve themselves in these and other outlets for civic and academic enrichment. We can be very proud of them, as well as confident about our future in their hands,” Boozman added.
