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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 9:08 a.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007

Youth Legislature wraps up session today at Capitol

Advertiser Staff

The YMCA of Honolulu's 58th Hawai'i State Youth Legislature will meet tomorrow with Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona at the State Capitol to discuss the administration's legislative initiatives, youth participation in the legislative process and community affairs, and various issues facing the state.

Tiana Maruyama, a Kalani High School senior and "Youth Governor" and will present Lingle and Aiona with an overview of the bills written and debated by members of the state Youth Legislature. The bills cover topics ranging from teen pregnancy and mass transit funding to low-income housing and gun licensing.

Today's event will conclude the 58th annual YMCA Youth Legislative Session for the 88 Hawai'i middle and high-school students who participated in the seven-month program.

The YMCA Youth Legislature is an annual program designed to offer high school and middle school student's hands-on experience with state government.

Program participants can serve as governor, senators or representatives and even members of the press corps. They engage in mock legislative sessions exploring critical issues affecting the Hawai'i community.

Participants write their own bills and resolutions and take them through the legislative process. The event gives youth from sixth to 12th grade a better understanding of government and a chance to improve their skills in public speaking, organizational management and constituency-building.

Today's event is not open to the public.