This week Nathan and Stephen took part in Student Statesmanship Institute (SSI). They played the parts of representatives. They researched bills (that had already been through the Michigan House), listened to testimony, and prepared speeches in favor or against bills.
In the evening of the second day, they all gathered together to give their speeches and vote on the bills.
Nathan defending the ban on stem cell research.
Stephen passionately defending his bill for a Marriage Amendment.
They both enjoyed their time and enjoyed seeing both of their "bills" pass.
2 comments:
Excellent exposure to the legislative process. How long do they stay at SSI? And do they ever have to take a position on a bill that they personally don't agree with?
~ Betsy
This is an onsite program so it is only 2 days. They have a weeklong program in the summer in Lansing.
They get assigned a position on a bill so yes, they may get a position that they don't personally agree with. But James says that to best defend your position, you need to think of arguments against it. So arguing a position you don't agree with will eventually help you defend the position you do agree with.
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