Welcome to another exciting year in Youth & Government! It is my honor to welcome you into this year’s judicial program and I sincerely hope you are as excited as I am for the debates, examinations and victories that are soon to come. As Attorney General, I charge you to intently study this case; search for innovative strategies, think of new ideas, put a new angle on the issues. With each new year come many opportunities to shine at the witness stand, attorneys bench and judges seat. I urge you to seize these opportunities and do your best to make the most of them.

With this new case we have an opportunity to delve into a certain aspect of Texas state law which we have never been able to debate before, the area of Freedom of Religion. This year I expect new angles, exciting debates and over all intensely interesting trials.

With this in mind, the 2011-2012 year will be an ideal time to get your peers involved in Youth & Government. I ask that you bring as many students as possible into this wonderful program so that we may make this year the biggest and best judicial has ever seen.

Along with students, petition the adults of your community to become evaluators. By doing so, they will support the efforts of today’s youth to better understand the government which holds us together.

Above all else, I ask that you show the utmost respect in the courtroom for both the opposing team as well as your judge. Speak with courtesy and dignity, so that you may bring a good name to your club, your district and, most of all, your state. Leave the issues and controversies in the courtroom and respect the differing views of your peers.

By striving for these goals and values, there is no doubt that we, the delegates of Texas, will make this year one to remember.

Sincerely,