Resident shares her experience in Washington D.C.

A Trip to Remember

By Gladys Sanchez

The Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute offered a week long program of civic engagement to 70 brilliant students from around the nation and Puerto Rico. I, Gladys Sanchez, was one of the lucky students to take part in the 2015-2016 Next Gen R2L program. During the week I was able to meet young leaders from the nation who had different backgrounds but who wanted to strengthen this nation for those living in it.

We discussed issues that have been affecting our nation for centuries such as immigration, education, The DREAM Act, etc. At times, the discussions resulted in heated disagreements parallel to those in Congress, but at the end we came to a consensus of what is best for the people affected by the law and its effects in the future. The discussions were insightful due to the experience my peers had seen. In many occasions the stories were unbearable to hear. Many shared their struggles and our tears united with their hardships. It was challenging to imagine some of my peers not having food to eat or worrying if one day someone would take away their parents forever.

But not all was sadness, we were able to visit various memorials and reminisce some of the knowledge that great leaders left behind. We observed Martin Luther King’s memorial, Jefferson’s memorial, Lincoln’s memorial, World War 2 memorial, Vietnam Veteran memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial, Korean War memorial and the Air Force memorial. Each statue and monument signified the importance of citizens in this government. Whether it be fighting for rights in D.C. or overseas, or advocating for change and including citizens in government policies, everyone has the power to influence change and those are reminders of that.

What I’ve learned from CHCI Next Gen R2L I will now use to share with my community and encourage them to educate themselves on the importance of voting, to learn that their senators and representatives are there for them, to understand how laws are made and how they will impact their lives.

My advice to those who decide not to vote because they don’t want to get involved is: “You’re going to have to accept that law even if you hate it. Why? Well, because you didn’t want to get involved and now someone has decided for you.”

#student #CHCI #washington #eha