Last week, congress debated an incredibly controversial and potentially explosive healthcare bill. Alliances were formed, opponents crushed, and points viciously fought over.

Much of the same was occurring at the local Newport Beach Marriot.

The southern California branch of the Junior Statesmen of America convened at the Fall State Conference, bearing the formal attire which is a conventional sign of serious business.

Junior Riley Senske said of the event, “Fall State exceeded my already high expectations.”

Two speakers graced the JSA convention with their presence in the opening session. One was Richard Greene, and the other Jacob Dayan, the Israeli Consul General. Both spoke eloquently, setting the tone for what would be an intriguing an fruitful weekend of debate, heated discussions, and opposing viewpoints.

Senior Jack Mulcaire triumphantly won a “best speaker” gavel after giving a stirring argument on the topic of whether or not the US indirectly sponsors terrorism.

Controversy arose in another debate over whether or not the US should continue sending financial aid to Israel. Seniors Cahill Maffei and Petersen Walrod both raised their voices in the debate as subsequent speakers. The initial vote was a tie. The subsequent recount passed the bill, ending financial aid by a margin of only one vote.

Seniors Cahill Maffei and Chris Nguyen both won “JSA Scholar” awards for their participation in the Junior Statesmen Summer Camp at Stanford University over the summer.

Students interesting in joining CdM’s chapter should click here.