Recognizing the 215th Anniversary of the Fresno High School Senate Club

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the Fresno High School Senate Club. Fresno High School was founded in 1889 as the City of Fresno's first high school. The following year, the Fresno High School Senate was established on March 21, 1890.

The Foundation of the Senate is modeled after the United States Senate, with each member representing a state in our Union. Admission to the Fresno High School Senate requires a majority vote of the body for academically qualified candidates who are sponsored by an active member of the club. Candidates are required to attend at least three club meetings and present a speech to complete the application process. Upon admission, a U.S. state is permanently assigned to the new senator, who is then invited to declare a political party preference. The Fresno High School Senate is primarily a debate club and has the distinction of being the oldest continuously active high school club in the United States.

The Senate is governed by both a Constitution and bylaws and it follows parliamentary procedure set by Robert's Rules of Order. The organization instills knowledge of the law making process of our national government. Furthermore, the public speaking debate society addresses current issues of world, national, and community interest and concern.

The Fresno High School Senate Club meets every week on the Fresno High School Campus and is guided by a faculty member known as the ``President of the United States.'' Active Senators, in addition to being top academic achievers, also perform hundreds of hours of service to the greater Fresno community.

Over many decades, the Senate has produced dozens of outstanding alumni known as, ``Honorary Senators,'' who achieved distinguished careers in law, medicine, business, education, government, architecture, technology, the military, and other notable occupational fields.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Fresno High School Senate on the significant milestone of its 125th Anniversary as I extend my best wishes for the organization's continued success in shaping the lives of young students, creating model citizens and nurturing the studies of United States history and government.

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