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WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania YMCA Youth and Government Program aims to bring the workings of state government alive to students and provides them an opportunity to discuss current issues with state administrators, elected officials, and students from high schools and YMCAs throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, students experience serving as legislators, where they author and vote on bills and run for office; as Supreme Court Justices, hearing oral arguments from teams of Attorneys; as part of a press corps, and even as lobbyists; and
WHEREAS, the Program advocates important values such as intellectual honesty, ethics, responsibility, and respect, even for those who hold different opinions; and
WHEREAS, Erik Rauterkus, student at Obama Academy, was elected Youth Governor at the 2012 Model Government Convention and, in his new role, hopes to increase program participation and foster personal growth; and
WHEREAS, Rauterkus will be joined in this effort by fellow Convention winners: Lieutenant Governor and Outstanding Senate Committee Chair Ben Junker, Yagazette Editor in Chief and Outstanding Press Corps Member Anna Vitti, and a number of other exceptional student leaders; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania student representatives will attend the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina on June 30, where they will gain an awareness of national issues and meet with government dignitaries.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby congratulate the 2012 elected representatives and award winners and recognize the Pennsylvania YMCA Youth and Government Program for educating young people about important civic values; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare May 29, 2012 to be "Youth and Government Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.