READING – Senator David G. Argall (R-29) will host his first-ever Berks County ‘Senator for a Day’ event at Penn State Berks on Wednesday, November 19.
Argall, who will begin representing the western portion of Berks County effective on December 1 as part of the constitutionally-mandated reapportionment process, is eager to start off the program that has gained popularity among school districts in Schuylkill County.
“Each spring, I host a similar event in Schuylkill County and the program expands every year,” Argall said. “This is an event that really brings the textbooks to life for the students and gives them a crash-course on a day in the life of a state legislator. It’s a fun and informative event that engages each student in a different way. I am looking forward to it.”
High schools scheduled to participate include Berks Catholic, Blue Mountain Academy, Conestoga Christian, Conrad Weiser, Fleetwood Area, Hamburg Area, Kutztown Area, Schuylkill Valley, Tulpehocken and Wilson.
As part of the event, students are asked in advance to read articles pertaining to legislation currently being debated at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. When they arrive, they have the opportunity to chat with Senator Argall, his staff and government relations professionals who travel from Harrisburg to assist with the event.
Students break up into four committees – Education, State Government, Finance and Transportation — to discuss issues ranging from property tax reform to welfare reform.
“A lot of the debate points are the same ones I make and hear in Harrisburg,” Argall said. “The students become engaged in the process and really see how the ‘meat and potatoes’ of their state government works.”
The event will start at 8 a.m. in the Perkins Student Center and runs until 1 p.m.