[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 59 (Thursday, May 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, this afternoon I had the privilege 
of meeting with 37 seventh-grade students from Holy Cross Elementary 
School in Dover, DE. Talking with these bright and energetic young 
people on the steps of the Capitol reminded me that I was about their 
age when I first began to develop an interest in government and 
consider a career in public service.
  While we talked out there on this beautiful spring day, I noticed 
that I was not alone. A number of my colleagues were similarly engaged 
with young people from their own States.
  Today the Senate passed important legislation on immigration reform, 
legislation which will have a profound impact upon the communities in 
which these young people are growing up. And I am glad that the 
students from Holy Cross had the opportunity to witness some of this 
important debate. It provides them with the opportunity to learn that 
what we do here has a real-life effect upon many, many Americans. It 
reinforces that point that young people, whether they are old enough to 
vote or not, have a stake in keeping abreast of public affairs, because 
it is their communities', their States', and their Nation's future that 
is being shaped by the actions we take here in the Halls of Congress.
  It will not be too many years before those seventh-graders are our 
leading businessmen, teachers, doctors, and even Senators, and I think 
there are few things we as public officials can do that are as 
important as spending time with the young people who are the future of 
this country. I have always said that education is the best investment 
America can make, and as public servants, I believe we have a 
responsibility to encourage that investment whenever possible.
  Beyond that, I honestly believe that spending time with bright, 
energetic, and thoughtful young people does us a lot of good. Because I 
never come away from meeting them without gaining a fresh perspective 
on some of the important questions and issues which confront us today. 
My meeting with the students from Holy Cross was no exception, and I am 
grateful to Ms. Marylou Soltys and Ms. Marie McCann and the 13 parent 
chaperones for bringing their students to Washington. I hope that they 
all enjoyed their visit, and benefited from our conversation, as much 
as I did.
  I hope to see the day when they return to Washington as leaders in 
industry, education, medicine, and government.

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