Welcome to Harvard Model Congress 2012! My name is Eric Chung, and I am chairing the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). Through these four fields, our committee will discuss some of the most significant issues facing the United States. We will be exploring two very controversial issues: the right to abortion and childhood education reform. In discussing abortion, we will deal with the intricacies of morality and ethics in health policy. In discussing childhood education reform, such as by mandating certain classes, we will examine the important interplay between federal, state, and individual rights.
Apart from these exciting topics, I hope you are looking forward to a phenomenal conference. An actual simulation is one of the best ways to learn about the American government and all of its processes, complexities, and formalities. Rather than reading about facts from a textbook, you see firsthand how legislation is actually drafted in committee and how it reaches full session and the House of Representatives. Through the conference, you will gain many real world skills, among which will include public speaking, negotiation, forming arguments and making concessions. Even beyond this fantastic learning experience, you will have the incredible opportunity to meet and make friends with students from all around the country.
As your chair, I am here to make your experience at HMC the best that it can be. I am currently a sophomore planning to major in government and/or sociology with a minor in global health and health policy. In addition to chairing at Boston, I have chaired at the San Francisco conference and plan to chair at the Europe conference later this year. I also serve as the Executive Assistant to the HMC Vice President. As is fitting for the HELP committee, I am particularly interested in education and health policy, specifically how governments can help to ensure proper living standards for all people both here in the United States and all across the world.
Outside of class and working with HMC, I am involved with the Phillip Brooks House Association, Center for Public Interest Careers, Institute of Politics, Chinese Students Association, Science Cabinet, Health Policy Society, and the Relay for Life. Both as an excited college student and a recruiter for the Harvard Admissions Office, I would love to talk to you about all of the wonderful opportunities both at college and more specifically at Harvard. Throughout the conference, I would be more than happy to address any questions or concerns about college or anything else!
I am stoked to meet and work with all of you at the conference! Please feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of any help to you as you prepare for the conference. I look forward to meeting all of you!
Sincerely,