Student Leaders From Across Southampton Town Head To Albany

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The Town of Southampton's Youth Bureau participated in the YMCA’s 89th Annual Youth and Government conference in Albany, NY on March 21 through March 23, town officials said.

18 students from Westhampton Beach, Hampton Bays, Pierson, and Southampton High Schools spent the last six months researching critical issues and drafting their own bills to amend current New York State legislation, officials said.

Students then had the opportunity to represent the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau and debate their proposed bills in hearing rooms and in the chambers of the New York State Assembly.

All four bills submitted by the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau’s delegation received the "Seal of State Approval," which is only awarded to bill teams for exemplifying excellence in structure, clarity, and research — and honors those who uphold the highest standards of bill writing, town official said.

All four bills initially passed in the Chambers. In addition, one bill was endorsed by the Youth Governor and two bills ranked in the top 10 bills during legislative committees on the first day of the conference.

Three of the four bills presented by the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau passed in the Chambers and were officially signed into law by the Youth Governor, town officials said.

"The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau is proud of all the hard work, dedication, and teamwork that was displayed by our four bill teams at this year’s conference. All four bill teams presented eloquently and were precise in delivery. Programs such as Youth & Government are crucial in providing our local youth with a voice and teaching them the importance of the democratic process. These students are our leaders of tomorrow. We are so proud of how well they presented their bills and how they participated in meaningful debate with over 730 students across New York State," Assistant Director of Youth Bureau Peter Strecker said.