March 11, 2015

Manchin Offers Advice and Encouragement to U.S. Senate Youth Program Student Delegates

Senator Manchin spoke at an opening dinner and met with the 104 student delegates at Senate reception, including Ylhang Liu of Huntington and Gene Webster Bailey, III of Charleston

Washington, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin was pleased to spend time with this year’s U.S. Senate Youth Program’s student delegates. As co-chair of this year’s program, he was the keynote speaker on Monday evening at the opening dinner. In his speech, he spoke to the young leaders about his career in public service, discussing his time in the West Virginia legislature and as Governor of the Mountain State before arriving on Capitol Hill. He offered the students words of advice and encouragement as they look to the future of their own careers. He also talked about on his top priorities as a United State Senator and what a typical day is like in Congress. Today, Senator Manchin also attended the longstanding traditional Senate reception.

At both the opening dinner and the Senate reception, Senator Manchin met with the delegates attending the program, including Ylhang Liu of Huntington and Gene Webster Bailey, III of Charleston, the two West Virginia students who were selected as delegates to attend this year’s program. This week they are joining 104 student delegates from across the country to meet with members of Congress, President Obama, a Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as other public officials and members of the media.

“It was truly a pleasure to meet with this year’s Senate Youth Program student delegates and share with them my own personal journey of public service,” Senator Manchin said. “Each of these talented delegates is a part of our nation’s future, and now, more than ever, our country needs young leaders like them. My hope for these students is that they receive the guidance and resources that allow them to walk their own paths towards the continuation of our great country’s values and potentially pursue a career in public service. Again, I am very grateful for the opportunity to co-chair this remarkable program and congratulate all of the students who are in Washington this week, especially, Ylhang Liu and Gene Bailey, who are here representing the great state of West Virginia.”

Below is information on the U.S. Senate Youth Program and this year’s West Virginia delegates: 

The United States Senate Youth Program is a competitive, merit-based program that selects two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity, to participate in a week-long educational experience about the federal government and national leaders. Each student will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundations. During their week in Washington, students will meet with members of Congress, President Obama, a Justice of the Supreme Court, other public officials and members of the media. To be selected for the U.S. Senate Youth Program, students must rank academically in the top percentile of all high school juniors and seniors in their state, and possess outstanding leadership abilities and a commitment to volunteer work.

Ylhang Liu is a senior at Cabell Midland High School in Ona. She serves as a Girls Nation Senator, Girls State Delegate and a HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth) Leadership Representative. Additionally, she is involved in Math Field Day, National Honor Society, Honorary Chemistry and Mu Alpha Theta Debate. Her interests include debate, taekwondo and art. She is also a volunteer church translator. She plans to attend college as an international relations major and attend law school. She aspires to one day work in the United Nations. 

Gene Bailey is a senior at George Washington High School in Charleston. He serves as the Senior Student Council Representative, President of the Youth Leadership Association Club, President of the Young Democrats Club, Captain of the Academic History Quiz Bowl Team and Supreme Court Justice at the Mountaineer Boys State. He is also a volunteer at River Ridge Church and a member of the lacrosse team. He plans to attend college as a history major, move on to law school and become a public defense attorney. He aspires to one day become a United States Senator.  

Caption: As co-chair of the 53rd Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program, Senator Manchin met with student delegates at Monday evening’s opening dinner, including Ylhang Liu of Huntington (left) and Gene Webster Bailey, III of Charleston (right). They were selected to attend this year’s program because of their achievements in the classroom and in the community. This week they are joining 104 student delegates from across the country to meet with members of Congress, President Obama, a Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as other public officials and members of the media.

Caption: Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito meet with Gene Webster (left) and Ylhang Liu (right) at the longstanding traditional Senate reception. The reception is held every year in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room in order for members of Congress to meet and greet the student delegates from their states.