Washington, D.C. - Bell High School Junior Stanley Martinez of Huntington Park visited with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard on Thursday (Feb. 26) during a weeklong stay in Washington, D.C. as a participant in the Presidential Classroom Scholars Program on Global Business & Public Policy.

Stanley Martinez visiting with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, who represents the 34th District, which includes Bell and Huntington Park, said she is proud of Stanley's involvement in the program and his success in school.

"The Presidential Classroom programs provide a unique opportunity for young people to learn first-hand how our government operates," Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said. "Stanley is among the many bright students with leadership potential from across our country who will hopefully take what he has learned as part of this program and return home more knowledgeable about the process and better prepared to one day serve his community and make a difference."

During their meeting, Stanley asked Congresswoman Roybal-Allard for advice on how to pursue an elected office. The Congresswoman encouraged him to continue to do well in school, to pursue higher education and to get involved in the community by helping others.

Stanley, who is taking advanced placement courses in school and wants to become an attorney and start his own business one day, said he found his first visit to Washington, D.C. fascinating.

Presidential Classroom is a non-profit, non-partisan civic education organization dedicated to helping young people develop leadership skills. As part of the Global Business & Public Policy program, Stanley and the other students learn about the stock market and explore the relationship between the private sector and government.

During the week, Stanley and the other students are visiting with Members of Congress, participating in student debates about business and labor issues, attending on-site workshops at leading area corporations and spending time sight-seeing around the area. This week's Global Business & Public Policy program runs from Saturday (2/21/04) through Saturday (2/28/04).