V
irginia
C
apitol
C
onnections
, W
inter
2014
21
During the 2014 legislative session, Delegate Richard L.
Anderson has been hosting the second year of his Future Delegate
Program, an opportunity for students from the 51
st
House District to
shadow Anderson for a day in the General Assembly. “The students
simply immerse themselves in my calendar and my daily schedule,”
Anderson said. “Whenever possible, I introduce students and families
to House leaders, to include the Speaker, Majority Leader, and other
senior delegates and senators.”
Anderson also said that he provides students with opportunities
to interface with Democratic members of the House, in order to
encourage the non-partisan nature of the program. “The schedule
for each Future Delegate varies just as my daily schedule varies,”
Anderson said. “But in general, each student is able to attend my
subcommittee and committee meetings, as well as the daily floor
session of the House of Delegates.”
Two-dozen students in grades seven through 12 have already
participated in the program during the 2014 session. Anderson
said that on most days he and his staff sponsor a single student, but
some days they host two students to best fit the families’ schedules.
“We have an obligation to cultivate the interest of next-generation
leaders in the public life of our Commonwealth,” Anderson said.
“By mentoring young people who are interested in legislative and
public policy matters, we will ensure that Virginia’s proud tradition
continues unabated.”
At the conclusion of the 2014 legislative session, Anderson said
that he and his wife would host a social gathering of this year’s Future
Delegate Program students in their home so that the students can
meet one another and share their experiences. “I also use the time to
discuss the lessons they learned while spending the day at the Capitol
and to solicit their suggestions on how we can make the program
better in 2015,” Anderson said.
Delegate Richard Anderson
hosts Future Delegate
Program for students in
the 51
st
House District
V
