[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1333-E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS HAVE LUNCH WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE

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                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 1995
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, those who believe that youth are not 
interested in public affairs have not met the eighth grade class at 
Churchville Junior High in Elmhurst, IL. In a contest, sponsored by the 
school's social studies department, the students were asked to write an 
essay entitled, ``Why I would like to have lunch with Representative 
Hyde.'' The students used the opportunity to voice opinions on a wide 
range of issues. Many also expressed interest in running for public 
office and making positive contributions to government in the future. I 
would like to share with my colleagues the six winning essays, I and am 
happy to report that we had lunch and discussed some of the students' 
concerns and questions about political office.
                               Henry Hyde

                           (By Gwen Infusino)

       I wish to have lunch with the prominent politician, Henry 
     Hyde. I would very much enjoy expressing my political 
     opinions. I would enjoy meeting him because I want to know 
     about the life of a politician. Also, I am interested in the 
     way government works.
       I would very much enjoy expressing my political opinions. 
     I'm concerned about society, environment, and many other 
     issues. I'm happy to imagine that I just might make a 
     difference. I'm sure Mr. Hyde is open to all kinds of 
     opinions and suggestions.
       I would enjoy meeting him because I want to know about the 
     life of a politician. At this point in time, many people my 
     age are making career decisions. These will affect us for the 
     rest of our lives. If I find a politician's life appealing, I 
     might choose to get into that field.
       I am interested in the way government works. America is 
     where I live, and so will all of our children. I want to 
     learn a bit about our system so I know how it works and how 
     safe it makes it for us all. I feel knowing about our 
     political and judicial system is a must for us all.
       In conclusion, I would like to meet Henry Hyde for three 
     prominent reasons. I want to know about the life of a 
     politician. I am interested in expressing my political 
     opinions. I want to ask him about our government and the way 
     it works.
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[[Page E 1334]]


          Why I Would Like to Eat Lunch with Congressman Hyde

                          (By Jodi Carnevale)

       For a thirteen year old I have very strong opinions that I 
     share with people to show them how I feel. Congressman Hyde 
     did the same thing. That is why I would be honored to eat 
     lunch with him and talk one on one.
       Congressman Hyde had made a presentation on abortions and 
     why he was very anti-abortion. I was lucky enough to hear his 
     presentation, and even get a cassette tape of the speech. I 
     have the same morals on abortion that he does, and I find it 
     interesting that someone older than me has the same feelings 
     I do about abortions. It would be an exciting, as well as 
     educational experience for me to tell him how I feel, and to 
     tell him that as a kid, I greatly respect him for having such 
     strong feelings, and publicly addressing them on such a 
     strong world-wide debate. I would also like to know if since 
     he addressed his opinion on abortions publicly if he has 
     received any remarks on his position regarding abortions. 
     It's not very likely that someone with as much authority as 
     Congressman Hyde states his position. I admire that greatly.
       I also believe it would be fun to talk to him one on one to 
     find out his positions on other world-wide problems. I would 
     like to know if he has made a speech about any other topic, 
     and if so, where you can find them, because his speeches make 
     an impact on me and I would like to have more.
       That is why I would like to eat lunch with Congressman 
     Hyde, I respect him for telling the truth, and I know he is 
     open and willing to state his opinion on issues as big as 
     abortions. I would also like to go out with him because I 
     would just like to tell him how much I admire his way of 
     speaking out to people.
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               Why I Want to Go to Lunch With Henry Hyde

                           (By Melissa Greco)

       I would like to go to lunch with Henry Hyde because it will 
     expand my knowledge in social sciences and in politics. I am 
     very interested in people's opinions and I would like to ask 
     Mr. Henry Hyde some questions of my own. I have lots of 
     respect for people involved in making our government work and 
     settling laws. I have lots of opinions of my own and I would 
     love to represent Churchville.
       Some topics that I would like to discuss with Congressman 
     Hyde are: gun control, abortion, our national debt, and the 
     baseball strike. I want to know if he thinks that guns should 
     be outlawed or if they should remain on the streets. Then I 
     would discuss my opinion on this matter. I also want to know 
     if he believes in abortion and his reasoning. Another issue I 
     would like to ask him about is the baseball strike. Does he 
     believe that the players or the owners are being unfair? I 
     would also like to know what he is doing to help reduce our 
     national debt. I would also like to ask Congressman Hyde what 
     laws he is trying to pass now.
       I will represent Churchville by displaying well behaved 
     manners. I always respect my elders and am very polite to 
     others. I would love to have the honor of representing 
     Churchville and meeting Mr. Henry Hyde.
       I think that politics is very interesting and one day I 
     would like to become a part of it and represent, not only 
     Churchville but the United States. This opportunity would 
     bring me one step closer toward this goal. As I mentioned, I 
     would like to hear out Mr. Henry Hyde's ideas and reasoning 
     on important issues that we are dealing with in our society 
     everyday.
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        Why I Would Like to Go to Lunch With Representative Hyde

                           (By Megan Guimon)

       I think that being able to go out to lunch with 
     Representative Hyde would be a great privilege, and something 
     we will probably never again have the chance to experience. 
     As eighth graders, this is our last year attending 
     Churchville, and this would be a perfect last memory of it. 
     My Uncle Roy McCampbell is a trustee in Leyden Township, and 
     I have heard Representative Hyde's name since I was little. I 
     think it would be great to finally get to meet him in person, 
     and actually get to talk to him. I think that it would be 
     very fascinating to hear ideas and views from a person that 
     has such a great deal to do with the outcome of them. I don't 
     know very much on the government system, and it seems like a 
     lot of work, with very many obligations and pressures 
     attached to it. Though I know in my heart that I will never 
     get into politics as a career, I still believe that it is 
     very important to understand and experience all different 
     areas. I know that a chance like this is very rare, and this 
     is why I felt that I should try to get involved. I think that 
     it is very important for kids our age to understand or at 
     least acknowledge our government system. That's why I believe 
     that this is such a perfect chance for all of us. I think 
     that it is completely different than listening to an already 
     prepared speech. I think that this is such a terrific program 
     that Churchville has setup, and Representative Hyde has fit 
     us into his surely tight schedule, and I hope to be a part of 
     it.
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             Why I Would Want to Have Lunch With Henry Hyde

                            (By Joy Tetrick)

       I would very much enjoy having lunch with Dupage County 
     Representative, Henry Hyde. It would be a very honorable and 
     memorable experience.
       One reason I would like to go to lunch with Henry Hyde is 
     to find out the answers to some questions I have. It would be 
     interesting to see what he does all day, how stable is his 
     job, to find out how they come up with new laws, how much he 
     has to work a week, etc. It would also be interesting to find 
     out how he got in politics, like if he was a lawyer and then 
     decided to try out for a position. I would also want to know 
     if he enjoys his job, if it's pressuring at times, how his 
     family feels about it.
       Henry Hyde is very well respected and again, it would be an 
     honor to have lunch with him. I would be on my best behavior 
     at all times if I was chosen, and I think I would be a good 
     representative of Churchville Junior High School.
       I would also like to talk to him about some ideas I have. 
     One idea is about Salt Creek. I live right by Salt Creek so I 
     know how polluted it is. It is so polluted that York High 
     School wouldn't let my brothers class test some things out 
     because it was too dangerous.
       It would also be neat to see a bigger recycling program. In 
     our school were have a recycling program for paper but I'm 
     talking about going farther than that. I'm talking about 
     having a recycling program for the cafeteria. For Styrofoam, 
     plastic, etc. It would be neat to have it in all schools in 
     DuPage county. Also, to have recycling programs for home. I 
     know Elmhurst has one but Addison doesn't. In Addison you 
     have to buy plastic bags. Most people don't want to buy them. 
     It would be neat to see all DuPage county doing these ideas.
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        Why I would Like to Have Lunch With Representative Hyde

                        (By Heidi Wilberschied)

       I can't even begin to tell you all the reasons I want to 
     go! In fact when I first heard about it I told my whole 
     family! (I was very excited). These are some of the reasons I 
     want to go: It's a chance of a life time, I've got a lot of 
     questions, I want to know how it feels to be in this 
     position, and most importantly I want to be in a similar 
     position when I grow up.
       It's definitely a chance of a lifetime. I've always had 
     dreams of meeting the president, not to mention being the 
     president. Representative Hyde is just as important. Also, I 
     don't know anyone who's had such a chance like this, it's one 
     of the highest privileges I can think of.
       I have many questions, such as, ``What do you exactly do? 
     Do you agree with other senator's opinions? Do you enjoy your 
     job''? There is so much an 8th grader is deprived of knowing 
     on this subject. (Although it isn't due to Mr. Caldwell's and 
     Mr. Heap's expertise in the field of Social Science/Studies.)
       I want to know how it feel's to be in this position. It's a 
     great honor. He hold's many people's trust and opinions. 
     After all that's how he got chosen. Is his position stressful 
     or successful?
       Most importantly I want to be in a similar position when I 
     grow up. Ever since I was young I've been interested and 
     intrigued by our government. I've wanted to be in a 
     government position for four years. I know it's a big dream, 
     and I know it will take many years of hard work, but I want 
     it. I want to hold a high government position, so you can be 
     sure I'll get it. That's why I want this opportunity so much, 
     I need much information and education now so I can start 
     forming opinions now, so I'll be familiar and knowledgeable 
     in this field in my upcoming years.
       To conclude my points; It's a chance of a life time, I've 
     got a lot of questions, I want to know how it is to be in 
     this position, and I want to be in this position. I really 
     want to go.
     

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