For those of us that are intimately familiar with Youth
Tour, we often forget that not everyone is up to speed on the ins and outs of
this incredible program. So, this little history lesson is for YOU!
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| Iowa Youth Tour 1958 at the White House |
Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when
he addressed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA)
Annual Meeting in Chicago in 1957. The Senator and future president declared,
“If one thing comes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the
national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and
represents.”
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| US Capitol |
Consequently, some Texas electric cooperatives sent groups
of young people to Washington to work during the summer in Senator Johnson’s office.
In 1958, Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives (YES! IOWA!) sponsored the first
group of 34 young people on a week-long study tour of our nation’s capital.
Later that same year, another busload came to Washington from Illinois. The
idea grew and other states sent busloads of young people throughout the summer.
By 1959, the “Youth Tour” had grown to 130 students.
In 1964, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
began to coordinate joint activities among the state delegations and suggested
that co-op representatives from each state arrange to be in Washington, D.C.,
during Youth Tour week. The first year of the coordinated Tour included
approximately 400 young people from 12 states. Word of the program has
continued to spread and today, more than 1,900 students and over 250 chaperones
participate in the Youth Tour every year.
Youth Tour directors from each state association arrange
their delegation’s visits with their congressional delegation and other
educational and sightseeing activities. In addition to the planned state
activities, the Youth Tour experience encompasses multi-state activities
coordinated by NRECA.
Good company! Youth Tour alumni have gone on to design
airplanes, to lead companies (ummm … like Tim Cook of Apple Inc.!) and to serve
in the highest ranks of our government, including the U.S. Senate. Don’t be
surprised if you run into a former Youth Tour participant who is a
congressional aide on Capitol Hill. While several of our alumni work in
Washington, you will find even more alumni in your own community.
Shelly York
Iowa Youth Tour Director
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