WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley met today with Matthew Lee of Ames and William McCartan of Cedar Rapids who represented Iowa as delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program held in Washington.
Lee and McCartan were chosen from hundreds of outstanding high school applicants to be part of the 104 student delegates to attend the program’s 47th Annual Washington Week. Each delegate will also receive a $5,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.
“I enjoyed getting to meet Matthew and William while they were visiting Washington,” Grassley said. “It’s a great honor to be chosen to participate in this program. I hope their experiences here and the college scholarship awarded helps provide them with a brighter future in public service.”
The goal of the program is to instill a greater knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. While in Washington, the delegates attend meetings and briefings with senators and congressional staff, the president, a Supreme Court Justice, cabinet members, ambassadors, and top national media members. The delegates also tour national monuments and museums.
The United States Senate Youth Program was created in 1962. The program has been sponsored by the Senate since the program’s inception, but no government funds are utilized. The Hearst Foundation provides all expenses and transportation for Washington Week.