b'Mr. Kane Goes to HarrisburgOn October 14, 2023, Dickinson College sophomore Alex Kane shadowedB & B staff on Capitol Hill during a hectic session day.Among the various legislative meetings and visits, Alex spent time with PACEPs former president and current State Representative Arvind Venkat.Alex is the son of PACEP members Drs. Kathleen and Bryan Kane.The following are Alexs thoughts on his day in Harrisburg.B & B: Please give us an overall view of your State Capitol experience.Alex:I found the State Capitol experience fascinating as I got to see behind thescenes of the legislative process. The last time I had visited the State Capitol was in Elementary School, so going back with a deeper understanding of how laws are made was interesting. B & B: I n the whirlwind of a busy session day, were you able to gain a sense of the Pennsylvania lawmaking process? Alex:Meetings, everything happens in meetings, be they formal or informal.Lawmakers have a very hectic schedule on session days. There were times Mr. Green and I visited a legislators office only to find that while they were I would definitely recommendthere, they were busy with either a phone call or a meeting.the experience to otherB & B:You participated in meet and greet opportunities, but also attended college students interestedsubstantive meetings.Did these encounters help to inform your in Pennsylvanias stateunderstanding of the state legislature? government. Meeting withAlex:I found the substantive meetings very helpful, the physicians presentedlegislators is a chance toin a straightforward manner and in terms that were understandable to learn more about what thesomeone who did not have the same medical knowledge. These meetings government is doing for theshowed me that legislators are not experts on everything and as such a people of the commonwealth. great deal of time and effort goes into preparing presentations to explain medical issues. (Editors Note: Alex attended a House Health Committee on Biomarker legislation at which physicians testified.)B & B: Did any single meeting stand out in your experience?If so and why?Alex: My meeting with Representative Venkat. I always enjoy meeting my parents colleagues. I found it heartening that there is a voice of considerable medical knowledge in the State House, particularly given the COVID-19 Pandemic. B & B: Would you recommend this shadowing experience to other college students interested in Pennsylvanias state government?Alex:I would definitely recommend the experience to other college studentsinterested in Pennsylvanias state government. Meeting with legislators is a chance to learn more about what the government is doing for the people of the commonwealth. Furthermore, an inside look into the legislative process is definitely an enlightening experience. 8 PACEP News | Winter 2024'