April 2, 2001 - U.S. government policies were hotly debated in the house chambers of North Carolina's old state capitol by about 50 high school students taking part in the state's first Capitol Forum on America's Future.

Students expressed their opposition to the Star Wars missile defense system and sanctions against Iraq, and asked questions about the United Nations and the future of the world economy. They exchanged views with a panel of state lawmakers that included Representatives Dan Blue, Bob Hensley, Pete Oldham and Senator Jeanne Lucas.

Students and lawmakers take part in Capitol Forum.

When one student questioned the need for a Star Wars missile defense system, Rep. Bob Hensley was quick to reply.

"One of the things that I hope all of you will take home today is that everything in government is not always as it seems," said Hensley. "The reason that this ABM umbrella is a policy of the federal government is to rescue an ailing electronics and space industry in the U.S. I don't think any of the information from any of the groups discussing this indicates that this thing would work. I haven't seen anything that said it would work. If you look a little deeper you'll find that this will bail out some of these companies that have put a lot of money into electronics research. That's the way federal money is appropriated."

"How much federal money should we waste on something that doesn't work?" the student asked.

"None," said Hensley.

"Will much money go to it?" asked the student.

"A lot of money will go to it," said Hensley. "Unless folks like you when they reach 18 register to vote and exercise your vote on those people holding onto the government purse strings."

Lawmakers talk to students at Capitol Forum. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Rep. Pete Oldham, Sen. Jeanne Lucas(L to R) listen, as Rep. Bob Hensley responds.

Only 20 percent of people between 18 and 24 voted in the 1998 mid-term election, noted Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, a supporter of North Carolina's Capitol Forum.

"Too many young people seem to feel they have no voice in public policy issues," said Marshall. "By encouraging students to examine these issues, articulate their views, and interact with public officials who represent them, we are preparing them to become informed, thoughtful citizens and active participants in our democracy. That's what the Capitol Forum is all about, and moreover, that's what our democracy is all about."

When another student called for the United States to end sanctions against Iraq because of the impact on the Iraqi people, Senator Lucas responded.

"We have leaders who come together at the federal, state and local levels who are your chosen leaders," Lucas said. "They have the authority to make decisions in your absence. Someone at the federal level has come together, looked at the situation, and come forward with a decision. That's why it is critical to elect those persons who will represent the spirit of your desires. We cannot stop the sanctions. We could if all of us wrote letters to the federal government and said stop this now. As of today, there are leaders who are making that decision. If you have an opinion, it's important to write and let your elected representative know and make your opinion heard."

The discussions with lawmakers were part of the day's activities, where the students and their teachers discussed America's future.

"We talked about four different futures of the world," said LaTosha Parker, a Millbrook High senior. "We got into different groups and each group argued for what they thought would be the country's best course for the future. I learned to see different viewpoints of what America should be. It changed some of my ideas. And I got to speak to people who debate these issues and have them hear my view point."

The four American futures included:
Promote human rights and democracy worldwide;
Defend U.S. interests throughout the world;
Work through the international community to address common problems; and
Reduce our involvement overseas and focus on problems at home.

LaTosha Parker, Millbrook High student

After a morning of discussion and debate about which course to follow, students voted by placing sticky dots on charts listing the different futures. The students attending the session chose the future, "Defend U.S. interests throughout the world."

Teacher Chris Monte of Wake Forest-Rolesville High brought four students, Eric Peebles, David Mosley, Camber Marcom, and Kellie Mannette to the forum. They returned to class and lead discussions about America's future. After the discussions, students distributed and collected surveys. Monte turned in 114 surveys from his school.

All students who participated in the Capitol Forum are expected to do what the Wake Forest-Rolesville High students did. The surveys from schools in all six participating states will be tabulated, published and provided to every member of the U.S. Congress.

High schools in North Carolina, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Rhode Island are a part of the 2001 Capitol Forum. In North Carolina, the forum is financed by the Joseph P. Mastro Fund in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina State University.

Wake County high schools participating in the forum included Cary, Millbrook, and Wake Forest-Rolesville. Western Alamance, Forestview, Butler, Asheboro, Harnett Central, Cary Academy and Arendell Parrott Academy also participated. Each of the schools has a teacher leading a special course of study called Capitol Forum on America's Future who selected four students to take part in the March 23 event.

Teacher Lindy Poling of Millbrook High talks with students at Capitol Forum.

One of the Millbrook students tapped for the event was freshman Chris Carter, "It's something important to me. I jumped at this chance to meet state lawmakers. I want to be a lawyer and work my way into politics. This has been a great experience."

Lindy Poling of Millbrook High served as North Carolina's lead teacher. Poling prepared by taking part in several workshops at Brown University where the Choices Education Project at Thomas Watson Institute is located. The institute is the national sponsor of the Capitol Forum and developed the forum's special curriculum.

"The major goal of the Capitol Forum was to engage these students in authentic experience with government officials--and each other--so that they will remain active in civic affairs throughout their lives," Poling told the students and lawmakers as the day ended. "Who knows? Many of our students here today may be our public policymakers of tomorrow. As you can see, we do have many outstanding young people in this state who are well aware of their participatory role as citizens."


Students and lawmakers gather in North Carolina's old house chambers
after the Capitol Forum.

Wake County high school students debate federal policy with lawmakers

Wake County high school students debate federal policy with lawmakers

April 2, 2001 - U.S. government policies were hotly debated in the house chambers of North Carolina's old state capitol by about 50 high school students taking part in the state's first Capitol Forum on America's Future.

Students expressed their opposition to the Star Wars missile defense system and sanctions against Iraq, and asked questions about the United Nations and the future of the world economy. They exchanged views with a panel of state lawmakers that included Representatives Dan Blue, Bob Hensley, Pete Oldham and Senator Jeanne Lucas.

Students and lawmakers take part in Capitol Forum.

When one student questioned the need for a Star Wars missile defense system, Rep. Bob Hensley was quick to reply.

"One of the things that I hope all of you will take home today is that everything in government is not always as it seems," said Hensley. "The reason that this ABM umbrella is a policy of the federal government is to rescue an ailing electronics and space industry in the U.S. I don't think any of the information from any of the groups discussing this indicates that this thing would work. I haven't seen anything that said it would work. If you look a little deeper you'll find that this will bail out some of these companies that have put a lot of money into electronics research. That's the way federal money is appropriated."

"How much federal money should we waste on something that doesn't work?" the student asked.

"None," said Hensley.

"Will much money go to it?" asked the student.

"A lot of money will go to it," said Hensley. "Unless folks like you when they reach 18 register to vote and exercise your vote on those people holding onto the government purse strings."

Lawmakers talk to students at Capitol Forum. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Rep. Pete Oldham, Sen. Jeanne Lucas(L to R) listen, as Rep. Bob Hensley responds.

Only 20 percent of people between 18 and 24 voted in the 1998 mid-term election, noted Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, a supporter of North Carolina's Capitol Forum.

"Too many young people seem to feel they have no voice in public policy issues," said Marshall. "By encouraging students to examine these issues, articulate their views, and interact with public officials who represent them, we are preparing them to become informed, thoughtful citizens and active participants in our democracy. That's what the Capitol Forum is all about, and moreover, that's what our democracy is all about."

When another student called for the United States to end sanctions against Iraq because of the impact on the Iraqi people, Senator Lucas responded.

"We have leaders who come together at the federal, state and local levels who are your chosen leaders," Lucas said. "They have the authority to make decisions in your absence. Someone at the federal level has come together, looked at the situation, and come forward with a decision. That's why it is critical to elect those persons who will represent the spirit of your desires. We cannot stop the sanctions. We could if all of us wrote letters to the federal government and said stop this now. As of today, there are leaders who are making that decision. If you have an opinion, it's important to write and let your elected representative know and make your opinion heard."

The discussions with lawmakers were part of the day's activities, where the students and their teachers discussed America's future.

"We talked about four different futures of the world," said LaTosha Parker, a Millbrook High senior. "We got into different groups and each group argued for what they thought would be the country's best course for the future. I learned to see different viewpoints of what America should be. It changed some of my ideas. And I got to speak to people who debate these issues and have them hear my view point."

The four American futures included:
Promote human rights and democracy worldwide;
Defend U.S. interests throughout the world;
Work through the international community to address common problems; and
Reduce our involvement overseas and focus on problems at home.

LaTosha Parker, Millbrook High student

After a morning of discussion and debate about which course to follow, students voted by placing sticky dots on charts listing the different futures. The students attending the session chose the future, "Defend U.S. interests throughout the world."

Teacher Chris Monte of Wake Forest-Rolesville High brought four students, Eric Peebles, David Mosley, Camber Marcom, and Kellie Mannette to the forum. They returned to class and lead discussions about America's future. After the discussions, students distributed and collected surveys. Monte turned in 114 surveys from his school.

All students who participated in the Capitol Forum are expected to do what the Wake Forest-Rolesville High students did. The surveys from schools in all six participating states will be tabulated, published and provided to every member of the U.S. Congress.

High schools in North Carolina, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Rhode Island are a part of the 2001 Capitol Forum. In North Carolina, the forum is financed by the Joseph P. Mastro Fund in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina State University.

Wake County high schools participating in the forum included Cary, Millbrook, and Wake Forest-Rolesville. Western Alamance, Forestview, Butler, Asheboro, Harnett Central, Cary Academy and Arendell Parrott Academy also participated. Each of the schools has a teacher leading a special course of study called Capitol Forum on America's Future who selected four students to take part in the March 23 event.

Teacher Lindy Poling of Millbrook High talks with students at Capitol Forum.

One of the Millbrook students tapped for the event was freshman Chris Carter, "It's something important to me. I jumped at this chance to meet state lawmakers. I want to be a lawyer and work my way into politics. This has been a great experience."

Lindy Poling of Millbrook High served as North Carolina's lead teacher. Poling prepared by taking part in several workshops at Brown University where the Choices Education Project at Thomas Watson Institute is located. The institute is the national sponsor of the Capitol Forum and developed the forum's special curriculum.

"The major goal of the Capitol Forum was to engage these students in authentic experience with government officials--and each other--so that they will remain active in civic affairs throughout their lives," Poling told the students and lawmakers as the day ended. "Who knows? Many of our students here today may be our public policymakers of tomorrow. As you can see, we do have many outstanding young people in this state who are well aware of their participatory role as citizens."


Students and lawmakers gather in North Carolina's old house chambers
after the Capitol Forum.

Wake County high school students debate federal policy with lawmakers