Congress 2010

Junior State of America

presents

Congress
2010
A Student-Run
Simulation

You write the bills.

You cast the votes.
YOU MAKE THE LAWS.

Washing ton D.C .

Februar y 5 – 7, 2010
Februar y 12 – 14 , 2010
Februar y 26 – 28, 2010

Sacramento, CA
Februar y 6 – 7, 2010

Long Beach, CA
Februar y 13 – 14 , 2010

Dallas, T X
Februar y 20 – 21, 2010
For more information and to register
Por tland, OR
Visit www.jsa.org/congress2010
Februar y 20 – 21, 2010
 Congress 2010:
A Student-Run Simulation
Congress 2010 offers high school students the
unique opportunity to learn about our nation’s
legislative process by emulating it themselves.
Outstanding Social Studies, Government
and Journalism students are invited to join
Junior State of America members at one
of these weekend-long conventions to
discuss and debate solutions to today’s
pressing political issues.

JSA’s Congress 2010 conventions are approved for listing

on the National Association of Secondary School Principals’
National Advisory List of Student Contests and Activities.

“…It’s one of the best programs we have for young people

up on Capitol Hill…It’s an opportunity that’s very signifi-
cant for [them].”
– Hon. Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Senator,
on Junior Statesmen programs

“My students always come away from Congress with a greater under-
standing and appreciation about what it takes to turn a bill into law…
You have to be able to convince a group of peers that your idea is a
good one. JSA’s Congress helps teach that lesson.”
– Rick Bourdeau, World History and Psychology Teacher
Amity H.S., Amity, CT

“JSA’s Congress is my favorite convention. Creating legisla-

tion relevant to me right in the nation’s capital is a truly
unforgettable experience.”

– Kris Ogungbemi, Senior

Mason H.S., Mason, OH
Junior State Congress Conventions
Textbook accounts of how a bill becomes a law can never convey
the passions of lawmaking. Even viewing Congress in session does
not accurately demonstrate the heated debates that go on in com-
mittee hearings or the compromising done in back room meetings.
Congress 2010 lets high school students experience the thrill of
having their own legislation passed by Congress or the anguish of
watching their bill defeated. While many students struggle to under-
stand Congress as an institution and “how a bill becomes a law,” this
experiential civic education program augments classroom lectures
and readings about this vital branch of government.

Writing Legislation. Students’ participa-
tion in Congress 2010 begins before the
convention starts as students work in
teams to research and write legislation.
Students select an issue that they pas-
sionately care about and determine how
Congress can use its powers to propose
a solution to a problem.
Committee Action and Mark-up. At the
convention, students are assigned to
committees where all the legislation is
discussed and marked up. Amendments
are made and language is clarified while
the students learn the art of compromise
to earn the committee votes needed to
send their legislation to the floor of the
House or Senate.
Floor Debate. Public speaking skills are
emphasized as the sponsors of the leg-
islation that passed in committee take
the podium in the full House and Sen-
ate sessions. The chambers are always
packed as supporters and opponents
of each bill get a chance to speak and
persuade the members to support their
position. Students will have the chance
to speak out on the most pressing issues
that face our nation today.
Throughout the weekend, students use
their critical thinking, public speaking,
persuasion and negotiation skills all
while learning about how Congress
works, talking about current events
and making new friends.

For more information and to register Visit www.jsa.org/congress2010

Preparing for Congress
The Junior State has produced a booklet entitled
Preparing for Congress which covers the proce-
dures and rules of Congress 2010 in detail as well
as providing suggestions for getting you and
your delegation ready for an enriching weekend.
Preparing for Congress is available for download
from www.jsa.org/congress2010.
Other Activities
The opening and/or closing general sessions
at each location will feature prominent political
leaders as keynote speakers. “Political Fairs”
with interest groups across the entire political
spectrum are held at some sites. Delegates will
also have an opportunity to relax and have some
fun at a dance on Saturday night.
Washington D.C. Special Events
The Washington D.C. Congress begins on
Friday afternoon with an optional Speakers
Program for a limited number of delegations.
Teachers are encouraged to arrange meetings
with members of Congress or trips to museums
and other Washington D.C. attractions on their
own. A guide to some of Washington D.C.’s
historical, educational and cultural attractions
is available from www.jsa.org/congress2010.
A special moonlight tour of Washington monu-
ments will be held Saturday evening. Join us on
Friday to experience this unique educational
program in the nation’s capitol.
A sample agenda for the Congress conventions is
available on our website at www.jsa.org/congress2010

Sample Legislation
Below are some bills, resolutions and amendments that have been discussed at previous JSA Congress Conven-
tions. They are listed here to give you an idea of the range of topics that will be discussed at Congress 2010.

• A bill to expand support for space research.
• A Constitutional Amendment to allow for a moment
of prayer in public schools.
• A bill to allow homosexuals to serve openly in
the military.
• A bill to establish national standards of
teacher competency.
• A resolution to promote the use of nuclear power.
• A bill to privatize Social Security.
• A resolution to support the peace process in the
Middle East.
• A Constitutional Amendment to limit Congressional
terms of office.
• A bill to mandate government purchase of
recycled paper.
• A bill to establish universal health care.

The Junior State of America

On high school campuses across the nation, there are students concerned with what is happen-
ing around them – students interested in politics and government, foreign affairs, the law and
education. Junior State of America Chapters serve as the center of political awareness and activity
on their high school campus. On over 750 high school campuses, JSA chapters conduct debates
and current events discussions, voter registration drives and political guest speaker sessions. JSA, a
non-profit, nonpartisan, student-run organization has encouraged political awareness and involve-
ment among high school students for seventy-five years. For more information on the Junior State
of America’s other programs, how to start a Junior State Chapter at your high school, for more
information on JSA’s Congress conventions, or registration information, please visit www.jsa.org or
contact The Junior State National Headquarters at (800) 334-5353 or the Junior State Washington
D.C. Office at (800) 317-9338 or email jsa@jsa.org.

Junior State Headquarters Junior State Washington D.C. Office

400 S. El Camino Real, Suite 300 1600 K St NW, Suite 803
San Mateo, CA 94402 Washington, D.C. 20006
(800) 334-5353 Fax: (650) 347-7200 (800) 317-9338 Fax: (202) 296-7839
 How to Register
JSA conventions are open to approved
delegations from any high school. All
high school students and teachers are
welcome and encouraged
to attend.

Register Online
Online registration for Congress 2010 is available and
can be accessed from www.jsa.org/congress2010.
Please visit this page for instructions about registering
a delegation online. Through the chapter management
features available to delegation leaders in the JSA
Portal, you will be able to allow individual delegates to
register and pay fees online. A limited number of unaffili-
ated delegate registrations are available at each location
for students who have not started a JSA chapter at their
school. Contact the Junior State office for more details.
Registration Packet
Schools and students interested in attending these
conventions need to obtain a registration packet
available for download online at www.jsa.org/
congress2010 or from the Junior State offices by
emailing jsa@jsa.org or calling (800) 334-5353
on the West Coast or (800) 317-9338 on the East Coast.
The packet includes information on how to register,
student permission slips, housing forms, and other
important details on the convention. For delegations
that are unable to register online, you may mail or fax
in the forms in the registration packet.
Teacher/Advisors
Teachers/Advisors lend guidance to students and are
essential to the educational aspect of the organization.
They are also responsible for supervision and enforcing
school rules. Due to their commitment to better a stu-
dent’s education, teacher/advisor registration is free.
A teacher/advisor must accompany each delegation
to a convention.
Transportation and Meals
For the Washington, D.C. convention, most participants
arrive by 1:00 p.m. Friday and depart approximately
3:00 p.m. Sunday. Bus transportation to Washington
D.C. is available from Metropolitan New York City, New
Jersey, New England, and Southeastern Pennsylvania
for an additional fee. Delegations arrange their own
transportation to conventions. Student-driven cars
are strictly prohibited. Delegations are encouraged to
form carpools with teachers/parent drivers or arrange
transportation through their schools. Delegates are
responsible for their own meals. The Junior State of
America often works with our host hotels to offer
reasonably priced meals on the hotel property.
Registration Fees
Registration fees cover overnight hotel accommodations,
educational materials, exciting seminars, and recreational
activities including a dance at night. For complete
registration instructions and payment information,
go to www.jsa.org/congress2010.

Teacher Teacher
Date Registration Registration Private Registration
City Hotel (type of residents) Fee Fee Room Fee Deadline
Feb. 5 – 7
Washington D.C. DoubleTree Crystal City $175 FREE $200 Jan. 12
Northeast*

Feb. 12 – 14
Washington D.C. Crystal Gateway Marriott Midwest, Ohio River $175 FREE $200 Jan. 12
Valley and Southeast

Feb. 26 – 28
Washington D.C. DoubleTree Crystal City $175 FREE $200 Jan. 26
Mid-Atlantic*

Feb. 6 – 7
Sacramento, CA Sheraton Grand Sacramento $100 FREE $95 Jan. 12
Northern California

Feb. 13 – 14
Long Beach, CA Hilton Long Beach Southern California $100 FREE $95 Jan. 12
and Arizona**

Feb. 20 – 21
Dallas, TX Crowne Plaza Dallas Texas and Great $100 FREE $95 Jan. 19
Plains

Feb. 20 – 21
Portland, OR DoubleTree Lloyd Center $100 FREE $95 Jan. 19
Pacific Northwest

* Chartered Bus Transportation available for an additional fee from select areas.
** Arizona student registration, two night hotel stay and bus transportation from selected areas: $130 inclusive

For more information and to register Visit www.jsa.org/congress2010

 Presorted
First Class Mail
U.S. Postage
PAID
The Junior Statesmen Foundation Junior Statesmen
400 South El Camino Real, Suite 300 Foundation
San Mateo, CA 94402-1728
(800) 334-5353 or (800) 317-9338

Junior State of America

Congress
presents
A Student-Run
Simulation

2010 You write the bills. You cast the votes.

YOU MAKE THE LAWS.

For more information and to register

Visit www.jsa.org/congress2010