Dear Senators,
Every year, our conference is made unique by the excellence and enthusiasm of our delegates. Some of our most excellent and enthusiastic delegates are certainly the members of the prestigious United States Senate.
On behalf of the entire staff, I am honored to welcome you as one of those members for the 2013 session of Harvard Model Congress Boston! We hope all of you are just as excited as we are to have the opportunity to delve into a wide array of committees and gain a firsthand perspective of what it is like to serve in the U.S. government during our four-day premiere government simulation.
While this conference may appear only to be a simulation, the issues you discuss and the skills that you develop will all have a real impact on your life. From discussing issues such as government support for improving teacher quality to the potential privatization of the space industry, all of the issues will be both current and very real. Even more significantly, you will discuss these issues with other intelligent and passionate students from around the country and by being able to both debate and collaborate with them, you will gain an appreciation for the importance and functions of American democracy.
More specifically, you will serve an important position as a U.S. Senator and be at the center of attention discussing important problems and propose potential solutions that the Senate is realistically facing. While addressing problems and examining solutions, you will need to contemplate both regional and partisan interests as well as the specific ideas of your colleagues. Appreciating the Senate’s ability to affect the course of the nation’s history, you will also need to keep in mind that the decisions and compromises that you make in your committees and on the floor of the chamber have real consequences for the conference as a whole.
Furthermore, as members of Congress’s upper house, we sincerely hope that you will execute your duties with both conviction for your cause and respect for your peers. The key to making the most of your time in the conference is immersing yourself in discussion by taking risks, speaking up, and sharing your ideas. Remember to both ask questions and listen to others so that you can collaborate with your fellow delegates to form creative and viable responses to these complex issues. In the months leading up to the conference, take the time to read the briefings written by your chairs and begin to reflect on the kinds of questions you think will be significant as you craft legislation. Last but definitely not least, we hope that you will create long-lasting friendships and memories while learning from both your fellow delegates and your chairs.
With that said, welcome to the “the living symbol of our union of states.” I am incredibly excited to have the privilege of sharing in your energy and enthusiasm. The entire staff is so excited to meet you soon! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or with one of your chairs if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Eric Chung
President of the Senate