Mavericks in Congress
Written by Mark Debiasse
Imagine you represent the Northern Mariana Islands as the sole, non voting, at large delegate in the United States Congress. You have earned a coveted seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Your constituents are thousands of miles away, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and your committee is engaged in a heated debate over the proliferation of short term rentals and their impact on housing costs. How will you influence the vote on the bill before the committee?
That was the challenge MSA senior Max D’Aniello faced as he navigated his first Harvard Model Congress (HMC), held from February 19 to 22 in Boston. HMC is the nation’s largest and most prestigious government simulation, run entirely by Harvard undergraduates and held annually at several locations around the world. In the months leading up to HMC, Max and eleven other MSA students conducted research, prepared and submitted videotaped speeches, and immersed themselves in the people, culture, and priorities of their constituents.
They emerged from HMC with an intimate knowledge of parliamentary procedure, a deeper understanding of the challenge of crafting legislation and resolutions that garner the support of colleagues, improved public speaking and debating skills, and a broader understanding of young Americans from other parts of the country. Their hard work earned them the admiration and respect of their fellow delegates, and Max earned an Honorable Mention award for his work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Each MSA student was assigned a different role to play at HMC. Some were members of the G 20 or the World Health Organization, debating resolutions that would impact the global economy and healthcare. Others worked with colleagues on the US Conference of Mayors, tackling urban challenges like education and public safety. Some were assigned roles in the West Wing, crafting policy and working with the media to communicate White House initiatives.
Each student spent months preparing for this event, refining public speaking and debating skills onsite with the Charlottesville Debate League and virtually with the Virginia Debate Academy. The hard work paid off, with three students, Sophia Gasparini, Lila Kate Robinson, and Stella Vicioso, earning scholarships to attend the program, and the entire team walking away with a renewed sense of their rights and obligations as citizens in a democratic society.
This is the second year that Miller School of Albemarle has sent a delegation to HMC, and the program continues to grow in both number of participants and enthusiasm. Faculty advisor Mark DeBiasse notes, “HMC provides our kids with an opportunity to collaborate with students from across the country to engage in meaningful work and experience the joy and frustration inherent in representative government. Our students acquitted themselves well throughout the program, earning the respect of their fellow delegates and contributing positive energy and insight into the proceedings.”
Mr. DeBiasse was joined by MSA faculty member Dounia Lazreq, who provided additional onsite support throughout the weekend in Boston. The group looks forward to returning next year with an even larger delegation and an even greater command of the intricacies of the legislative process.