Lower Bucks Today

Senator Frank Farry recently hosted a mock legislature event in Bucks County, providing local high school students with a hands-on experience of the legislative process. Held on October 27 at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, the program aimed to foster civic engagement among young individuals.

"The goal of the program is to not only give students a glimpse of how government functions with a hands-on experience of the legislative process, but hopefully teaches them the values of compromise and respect and the importance of coming together for a common good," said Farry.

More than 50 students from six different schools participated in this educational initiative. The schools included Bensalem High School, Bucks County Technical High School, Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Neshaminy High School, and William Tennent High School.

The event commenced with former Pennsylvania governor Mark S. Schweiker delivering opening remarks on the legislative process. Students were then divided into four standing committees to discuss legislation modeled after actual bills introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate. Assistance was provided by Senate staff members from Harrisburg and Farry’s district office, as well as former elected officials and government relations professionals.

"It was encouraging to see them so immersed in the issues, developing their own positions and actively engaging in debates with the other students," Farry commented on student participation.

Following lunch, a mock general session of the Senate took place under Farry's leadership. Six out of eight pieces of legislation moved out of committee were debated by all participating students. Committee chairmen presented these bills for discussion and voting.

The event concluded with Senator Farry discussing the real status of similar bills in the Senate and emphasizing the significance of compromise and respectful discourse even when opinions differ.