by: Malcolm Hodge,
Glenda Dawson High School

Austin, TX – As hundreds of delegates compete at their first State Conference this year, many will also be newcomers to the Texas Capitol. Students in the Senate and House will get the chance to debate in the actual respective state chambers, but there are some important things you should know before they walk Austin’s historic halls. Some of District 3’s seniors shared what they learned from past conferences.

#1: Safety first: You’ll go through security as you enter. The State Capitol is a historic building that hosts swaths of tourists, political figures, and staff, so it’s important that the building stays as safe as possible. According to the Texas DPS, the security staff at the Capitol also aids traffic control, criminal investigation, and more. The entrance security line isn’t TSA, though, so keep your shoes on.

#2: It’s the largest State Capitol in America. At a whopping 360,000 square feet, the Texas State Capitol building makes it very easy to get lost. Make sure to stay with your designated group to find your way around the Capitol’s many, many sections.

#3: The railings within the rotunda can be quite low. The layered circular balconies—alongside the governors’ portraits on the walls—make for an awe-inspiring view of the rotunda’s intricate design. It’s an amazing, must-see view, but it can be seriously startling if you’re afraid of heights.

#4: The Capitol has an underground extension with even more space. Everything really is bigger in Texas: in 1993, the 600,000-square-foot underground Capitol Extension was completed, complete with offices for the 150 State Representatives. Some of YG’s events can occur in this impressive, yet lesser-known section of the building.

#5: Food and drink are prohibited in the Senate/House chambers. While there are many parts of the Capitol where food is allowed, including the Capitol Grill in the Extension, delegates can’t bring food or drink onto the House or Senate floors (per the Legislative Reference Library of Texas). Most delegates leave their snacks on the steps at the rooms’ entrances.

#6: You can visit the gift shop during downtime. The Texas Capitol Gift Shop is on the top floor of the Extension, and it has a wide array of souvenirs to choose from: its assortment of rings, postcards, and more ensure that you’ll have plenty of mementos to choose from.

#7: There are galleries above the House/Senate floors. At the top of each chamber, there is additional seating that overlooks the floor below so that you can watch the debate. This is especially useful for Media delegates who want to document legislative hearings without fear of causing a disruption.

Hopefully, you’ve learned something helpful about the experience of YG in Texas’ historic state Capitol. With this additional knowledge, you’ll be sure to excel at this year’s State Conference. Special thanks: Angelina Mejia, Madison Trang, Eraj Yusuf (District 3)