For a photo, go to: www.governorpress.state.al.us.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Student leaders from The University of Alabama Youth Summit recently met with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to present the Top 10 Issues affecting the state as identified by Youth Summit delegates.

The three youth leaders – also known as governors – who met with Gov. Riley included:

• Richard Friedman of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, son of Frank and Julie Friedman, Youth Legislature governor from Fairhope
• Charlie Walker of Decatur High School, son of Bob and Beth Walker, Boys State governor from Decatur, and
• Chasi Fowler of Rehobeth High School, daughter of Sonya Lynn, Girls State governor from Dothan.

The Top 10 issues that Youth Summit delegates found to be the most important to the state were:

• teacher tenure
• mandatory kindergarten
• prison reform
• welfare
• organ donation rights
• Constitutional reform
• tax and election reform
• ban smoking in public places
• lottery given solely to education
• justice system (tougher on repeat rape offenders)

During the fall semester, more than 200 students from Alabama Boys and Girls State, Teenpact and YMCA’s Youth in Government assembled at UA for the fifth annual Alabama Youth Summit.

The Summit provides a forum for discussing legislative and governmental issues facing the state that are important to today’s youth. This annual event helps to serve in giving the youth of Alabama a voice in state issues and public policy.

“Youth Summit is unique in that it provides a forum for Alabama’s youth to discuss important issues of the day, and more importantly our views are seen by our state’s top officials. No one can say our voice falls on deaf ears,” said youth leader Friedman.

Delegates who were selected to participate in Youth Summit were divided into six committees to debate and discuss issues concerning education, constitutional reform, environment, tax and election reform, justice systems, and human relations. In conclusion to the Summit, students convened to debate their ideas from committee meetings. After the debate, Youth Summit delegates voted on the top ten issues they found most important to the state. The list was then presented to Gov. Riley’s chief of staff, Toby Roth.

Youth Summit helps in providing the youth of Alabama a voice in which they can develop new ideas and policies for the state. “The Alabama Youth Summit is at the forefront of providing the youth of Alabama a voice for necessary changes within our great state. It provides an opportunity for associating with some of the most talented high school students Alabama has to offer. For years, Alabama has realized that there are problems to be addressed involving the Constitution, education system and tax system. The Youth Summit allows the youth of Alabama to provide real solutions to such issues,” youth leader Walker noted.

Since the first Youth Summit was held in 2000, the event has helped to serve as a prominent public voice in implementing new ideas and change throughout the state of Alabama.

“Alabama Youth Summit provides a unique and excellent opportunity for the youth of our state to truly have a meaningful voice. After Youth Summit, I realized what a deep passion for the state of Alabama lies in the hearts of our young people. I was so honored to present our list of Top 10 issues to Gov. Riley and personally get his feedback on different issues. I sat in awe of just how much my voice was heard as I sat in Gov. Riley’s conference room. It was unforgettable experience being such a huge part of the voice of Alabama’s teens,” youth leader Fowler said.