Third graders at Streams Elementary School in Upper St. Clair recently had an experience that few adults have - the chance to ask a member of Congress questions they had about issues facing the country.
Students in Betsy Loomis' class were studying about the government and wrote letters to Congressman Tim Murphy about their concerns. The congressman visited Streams to answer their questions in person. After giving the students a quick lesson on the etiquette surrounding the country's flag, pledge of allegiance, and national anthem, Murphy got to work answering the students' questions.
Murphy's first question was from Ashley Black, who asked if it was hard to be a congressman. Murphy responded that he thought the toughest part was being away from home so much.
Another student asked a question that many constituents wonder about: "What does a congressman do?"
Murphy replied that congressmen read over laws that are pending, make suggestions if the law should be modified, and propose new laws. He explained how a bill becomes law, adding that while between 4,000 to 5,000 bills are written each year, very few make it through the legislative process to become law.
The students posed questions on a range of subjects, from wanting to know how a person gets elected to Congress, high crime rates and the need for more police, and the effect of pollution on Antarctica, to more local concerns like littering, and obstacles on roads that make if difficult for drivers to see kids. The students were even concerned about rising gas prices, and wanted to know if it would be possible to have more buses running.
Loomis said the kids loved having Murphy come to class and personally respond to their questions. The congressman was engaging, and the students were interested in what he had to say. "He was very personable," said Loomis, adding that she thought Murphy did a great job with third grade crowd control.
Before Murphy left the students, he presented Loomis with a flag for Streams School that had flown over the Capitol.
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
