[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PORTSMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL VISITS WASHINGTON, DC

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                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this 
opportunity to praise the hard work of those who organized the 
Portsmouth Middle School Annual Field Trip to Washington, DC. Every 
year a group of students from the school are taken to the Capitol to 
have a tour. A number of people put a great deal of time and effort 
into organizing this trip. In fact these same dedicated individuals 
have been making this trip for over twenty years. I would like to 
acknowledge these people for the work they have done. Richard Munch, 
Beverly Tavares, Paul Fuller, Andrew Schlachter, Harold Weymouth, 
Beverly Mankofsky, Jackie Shearman, Heather Baker. Without their 
constant help and support the trip would not take place.
  The trip enables young students to see the Capitol up close and they 
learn a great deal of how the government works. It is important that 
our young people get to see for themselves the legislative process. The 
get a tour of the Capitol which goes through all aspects of the 
legislature. They are able to learn the procedures of Congress and they 
get a taste of how the process functions. This is a very educational 
tour as these students are able to hear the history of the nation and 
the capital. They go to Congressional offices, are shown through the 
Capitol and see the House in action.
  I believe that it is an important aspect of our democracy that people 
can come and see the political process themselves. Many members of the 
populace never get a chance to do this. Often the legislative process 
seems far removed from the average persons everyday life. It is often 
seen as a process that they cannot have any part in. We need to educate 
people in what we do. to show them that we are here to serve them and 
that we are answerable to them. This is how our democracy works and 
young people should be aware of these principles.
  The Capitol tour gives a taste of the history of the United States. I 
believe that these young people need to learn about their history and 
the work that our great leaders have put into creating the nation we 
have today. It is the people that I mentioned above from Portsmouth 
Middle School who make this trip possible. They have over the years 
acted beyond the call of duty to make these trips work. I would like to 
acknowledge their efforts and note that I appreciate the work they do 
to show a new generation of young people our democratic process.

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