Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) today announced that 185 students from 22 area high schools have recently completed successful participation in the 2012 Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program.

Congressman Sessions, who represents the Thirty-Second Congressional District, offers the Leadership and Growth Program in Washington, DC every summer during the months of June and July. Students at the high school level participate and are given the unique opportunity for a comprehensive experience of our nation’s capital.

“My summer program is about engaging young minds and preparing them to consider, challenge and thoughtfully articulate the public policy debates facing our nation,” Sessions said. “PSLGP participants have an opportunity to see Washington firsthand by observing House Committee hearings, attending program forums with government officials and Washington leaders, and touring various historical sites, memorials and monuments around the district.”

Some of the events from the program sessions included educational tours of the Pentagon, the National Portrait Gallery, the Library of Congress and the Newseum. Students engaged in a wide range of activities, from visiting the Arlington National Cemetery and the Holocaust Museum to researching and discussing policy issues. They were also able to interact with other leaders in Washington, including Congressman Greg Walden (OR-2), Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-8), Congressman Daniel Webster (FL-8), Congressman David Dreier (CA-26), Congresswoman Diane Black (TN-6) and Colonel Jason Bohm of the United States Marine Corps.

“I value the opportunity to welcome students from North Texas each year to our nation’s capital,” said Sessions. “I always enjoy learning the perspectives and aspirations of young citizens in my district, and I was pleased to have these students participate in my program,” Sessions stated.

Students who are interested in participating in the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program may contact the Congressman’s Washington, DC office at 202.225.2231 or email his Program Manager Sydney Stone at Sydney.Stone@mail.house.gov.

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