THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412210144
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOVE WIMBISH, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
GREAT BRIDGE High School student Douglas E. Heimburger did something no other student in Chesapeake has ever done.
This summer the rising sophomore won the local, state and national levels of the Congressional Seminar Project, an essay contest sponsored by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
According to Melinda Kicklighter, the Colonial Dames' patriotic services chair, it's the first time a Chesapeake student has ever entered the contest.
``We are thrilled that he even won, let alone make it to the national level,'' Kicklighter said. ``It is so obvious when you talk to him that he is into politics.''
Information about the contest was sent out to all Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Norfolk public schools, as well as many area private schools, Kicklighter said. As a result, the contest received a large number of entries.
Heimburger traveled to Marymount University in Arlington during the summer and spent a week helping Congress draft legislation as part of the Washington Workshops Congressional Seminar.
The seminars are held each year in Washington for high school students throughout the nation. Most pay for the privilege to attend, Heimburger said.
At the end of the session, the student workshop adopted resolutions that were printed in the Congressional Record.
During the week students got the chance to meet and work with senators, House members and congressional aides. They were also given the opportunity to debate legislation and attend congressional committee meetings.
Ironically, Heimburger's essay advocated term limits for members of Congress. Heimburger argued that senators should be limited to two terms and House members to four.
The paper began as a speech for his sophomore English class. When his English teacher, Martha Woolery, heard his speech, she told him about the Colonial Dames competition and suggested he submit it.
``I thought he had a very good chance because he's an excellent writer and he researched it well,'' Woolery said. ``He's very intellectual, very personable and just a phenomenal student.''
Heimburger said he enjoyed his summer experience, but he's not really sure if he's ready to join the ranks of Congress.
``We hear everything in the news today about what Congress does, and I feel there are some things wrong with Congress,'' he said. ``But I'm pretty heavy toward the math and science, and I'm not real sure at this point what I want to do. That one's really up for grabs right now. We'll have to see how things work out.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by Steve Earley
Douglas E, Heimburger won a contest with his essay about limiting
Congressional terms.
by CNB