Model Senate Introduces Students to Government Simulation

On Saturday morning about 55 of Harvard's aspiring politicians fought off sleep-deprivation to participate in the annual Harvard Model Senate, held at the Institute of Politics (IOP).

Participants were divided into four groups--two Senate committees, the National Security Council (NSC) and the Presidential Cabinet--that addressed issues by playing members of the real U.S. government.

Their goal was to legislate on topics such as U.S. sanctions against Iraq, the future military roles of the United States and NATO, Internet taxation policy and issues relating to credit fairness and community development.

NSC and the Cabinet, however, were faced with international crises that demanded immediate action.

A group of Haitians took an American cruise ship captive to protest pollution, and the NSC had to obtain the ship's release.

In addition to drafting a Presidential stance on the Senate topics, the Cabinet had to practice some fast-paced diplomacy after the President of Albania was assassinated and order in his country seemed about to dissolve.

"We try to get them really excited about government in general," said co-president Cathy H. Tran '02, who is also a Crimson editor. "This is something these kids can become active in."

After a long, and sometimes frustrating, day U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney (D-Salem) gave the closing address. He encouraged participants not to be dismayed by the sometimes cyclical nature of politics.

"The debate shouldn't be about government or no government," Tierney said. "It should be about good government or bad government."

And the participants concurred. "This is not a competition. It is a forum for discussion of issues," said Megan L. Sibole '03 over bites of the much-awaited Pad Thai lunch.

Model Senate introduces students to Harvard Model Congress (HMC), a four-day simulation held in February for 14,400 high school students from around the country.

"Model Senate is a way to introduce freshmen to Harvard Model Congress," said co-president Magda C. Guillen'02. By having them serve as delegates, they can "see both sides of the picture." The organization hopes that Saturday's participan ts will join the staff of Model Congress, helping to organize the February conference.