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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2007
CONTACT:
Carol Maravic
717-787-6725
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Pine-Richland Middle School Student Recognized By State Senate

Matt Humenik submitted winning "There Ought to be a Law" essay 

HARRISBURG - Matt Humenik's award-winning proposal to require welfare recipients to perform community service to receive welfare benefits earned him the opportunity to visit the state Capitol and to be honored by the state Senate, according to Senator Jane Orie (R-40).

Humenik, an eighth-grade student at Pine-Richland Middle School in Gibsonia, submitted the winning essay in Senator Orie's annual "There Ought to be a Law" competition with his proposal to require welfare recipients to perform a certain amount of community service in an effort to reduce abuse of the welfare program.

"Matt's proposal to require welfare recipients to complete community service requirements makes sense.  As Matt stated in his essay, the concept promotes community involvement, provides welfare recipients with a feeling of satisfaction through helping others and ultimately it would help to reduce the welfare rolls," said Orie.  "It's encouraging to see Matt and other young people taking an interest in the political process to make Pennsylvania a better state.  The ideas they have today may turn into the laws of the future."

Senator Orie invited Matt and his family to the Capitol for a tour and to be honored by the state Senate.  His essay will also be formally drafted into legislation and introduced in the Senate.

"This contest offers a fun way for youth to learn about the lawmaking process and gain interest in it," said Orie.  "It is also interesting and informative to see what topics concern Pennsylvania's youth."

Senator Orie sponsors the "There Ought to be a Law" essay competition annually to encourage students to get involved in the legislative process.