Mission Statement The mission of the Houston Urban Debate League is to build, support, and sustain programs in Houston’s public schools to make policy debate an educational resource available to all students. Policy debate prepares students to be effective advocates for themselves, their families, and their community. The Houston Urban Debate League builds public-private partnerships that enhance the investment of school districts in debate activities by providing business and community finance, mentoring, communication, and facilities to permanently restore policy debate in all of Houston’s public high schools. HUDL Program Summary -Free one week summer debate workshops for students and coaches. -Six two-day debate tournaments during the school year, including a city championship. The tournaments will be held Fridays after school and Saturdays. -Four Saturday instructional academic seminars/workshops led by lawyers, college professors and other experts on competitive debate. -Student and coach access to volunteer, debate expert mentors who are assigned to participating schools. -Scholarship awards for selected participating students to advance their knowledge at university sponsored summer workshops.