CAPITAL CONFERENCE TEACHES SAUGUS TEEN ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

Byline: HEIDI RIED

Sixteen-year-old Howie Titzel recently returned from a six-day National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

A junior at Saugus High School and a varsity football player, Titzel was chosen to attend the conference by an alumni representative from the school, who had attended the last conference session. Being an honor student with a GPA of about 3.80, he was one of two students chosen to attend.

"I wanted to see a new place and learn how the government works," he stated.

Titzel enjoyed the debating side of the simulated government sessions rather than government itself.

He especially liked testifying in favor of a welfare reform bill in a simulated congressional session.

Titzel stayed at a 4-H National Center in Chevy Chase, Md. Each morning, a wakeup call came at 6, followed by a 40-minute bus ride with other youths to the capital. Bed-check time was usually around 11 p.m., which made for a long day, he said.

Activities included meetings, question-and-answer sessions and the chance to hear leaders and newsmakers from the three branches of government, the media and diplomatic corps speak.

In an activity called "If I Were President," Titzel was chosen secretary of commerce. A trade agreement simulation took place about North Korea and nuclear weapons.

"We had to think of ways to get what we wanted," he said.

The debate took a couple of days, according to Titzel. One person had volunteered to be president, and others were assigned their positions.

Since the debate was on an unpopular issue, it was unique that his group passed the bill, Titzel said.

In the simulated congressional session, when Titzel testified in favor of the bill to abolish federal welfare reform, an entire party of youths went against the committee.

"All 350 people voted on it," he said about how the odds were against them in persuading the vote.

One event he attended was a National Press Club breakfast. Journalists, including Jessica Lee from USA Today and Paul Rodriguez of the Washington Times, spoke about issues such as the new V-chip.

"They talked about how they protect the president and try to make him look better. Their own opinions aren't used," he said.

The group toured Washington, stopping by the Dirksen Senate Office Building, where the nation's senators have their offices near Capitol Hill.

Titzel met Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita.

"He took us into the Capitol to see the voting room, where the president gives the State of the Union address," he said.

McKeon's office is in the Russell Building and has tunnels leading into the Capitol, Titzel said.

He also saw the Korean War monument with its life-size statues. "It was very eerie."

At Arlington National Cemetery, a wreath was lit during a memorial ceremony by the National Young Leaders Conference, he said.

Titzel said that the main focus of the conference was leadership skills.

"I feel more comfortable speaking and can get in front of people more easily now," he said.

Titzel is now looking forward to winning a college football scholarship. He's already received letters from UCLA and Oregon State. He would like to major in law or architecture.

Titzel said the skills he learned from the conference will be useful with a career in law. "I'd get my point across, leaving other parts out, but in a positive manner," he said.