[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WANT TO SEE CHANGE

  (Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, at a time when many adults 
question the seriousness and maturity of high school students, it is 
important for us to take a moment to pause to commend the group of high 
school students in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, who not only are doing 
something to improve our democracy, but I think challenge this very 
chamber to act in a responsible way.
  A group of students in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, have formed their own 
political action committee entitled the Oak Creek High School FECA 
Fighters, for the Federal Election Campaign Act. They are collecting 
dollars and coins in a 5-gallon drum and will contribute it to 
presidential candidates who are supporting ways to change the way 
elections are financed. They do not like the law and want to see it 
changed.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend these young students for getting involved in 
the democratic process, because this democracy only works as well as we 
make it work. It is the ultimate participatory sport, and these young 
people recognize that for this sport to continue, for this democracy to 
continue, they have to be involved. They are challenging us to reform 
the campaign laws. Let us follow their challenge and pass Shays-Meehan 
and make it law.

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