Boys & Girls Club of Gary members visit the Statehouse
By Matt Mikus mmikus@post-trib.com February 14, 2013 4:10PM
Updated: March 17, 2013 6:19PM
INDIANAPOLIS — To learn more about the workings of government, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Gary traveled to Indianapolis to meet with legislators Thursday.
Sponsored by U.S. Steel, the group enjoyed talking to state lawmakers, including State Sens. Earline Rogers and Lonnie Randolph, and State Reps. Vernon Smith, Charlie Brown and Earl Harris.
“This visit provides them the opportunity to see how government works,” said Jill Ritchie, a spokesperson with U.S. Steel. “We take them on a tour of the city and arrange lunch with the representatives from Gary.”
Some club members like Tionna Simmons, 11, of Gary, discovered how the state Treasury works, and added that she learned about how senators work together in meetings.
“I’ve never been to Indianapolis before,” she said.
Deyzia Harrington, 13, said she learned that representatives are willing to listen to ideas, and share how they feel about laws as well.
Arianna Love, 8, she said she learned about the importance of following the law.
“You’ve got to learn how to obey the law and do the right thing,” she said.
And while Lai-Anne Craft, 10, learned about the history of statues and famous buildings like the Statehouse, she also got a valuable lesson in democracy.
“I learned that anyone can make a change,” she said.
