Harvard Model Congress Teaches Government Workings
Harvard Model Congress Teaches Government Workings
Susan Rosenlof
Story and Photos by Katherine Dietz '26
Harvard Model Congress is the world's largest congressional simulation conference and is run entirely by Harvard undergraduate students. Founded in 1986, the conference allows students to assume the role of real-life congressmen, senators and members of government to expand their perspectives and experience the issues at hand in a new way. Model Congress offers students the opportunity to participate in many aspects of government, including writing bills, investigating crimes, and arguing in front of federal courts. Along with faculty moderators Jillian Roger, Katy Salzman and Susie Sisson, 15 students from Marian attended, participating in a variety of programs such as the World Health Organization, FBI and the Senate.
Before the conference, students prepared assignments relating to their committee, writing speeches and coming up with ideas for bills. Junior McKinley Fritz was one student in the Senate program, being a part of the Senate HELP (health, education, labor and pensions) committee.
“It was cool to work with groups that you just met and come up with solutions,” Fritz said. “It showed the importance of combining different ideas to make everyone in the committee happy.”
Students presented their bills not only in small committees, but in larger Senate meetings as well. Bills were then voted on by the whole Senate. Students also were able to explore the historic city of Boston, taking the “T” and enjoying local foods.
“It was super fun to see the city because it’s so historic, which is different from Omaha,” Fritz said. “Experiencing a subway for the first time was also super interesting.”
The group also went to an escape room, putting the teamwork skills from their committee meetings to the test.
Harvard Model Congress gave students the opportunity to learn about the federal government, as well as teaching teamwork skills and public speaking. Activities outside of the conference also allowed students to bond and put their new skills to the test in a historic city.