The Newman Young Democrats landed an impressive speaker for their meeting on Monday, April 11: Congressman Cedric Richmond, U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s 2nd District. Mr. Richmond was invited to speak to the students about his life and career and the opportunity to represent the 2nd district in Congress.
It is one thing to learn about current events, civics, and government in a class, and quite another to be able to speak to a legislator in a classroom setting. Mr. Richmond brought current events into the School’s lecture hall, and spoke at length about the subjects dominating the headlines in the last few weeks, including, the threat of government shutdown, the conflict in Libya, and the deficit.
He explained his stance on the government shutdown, which was narrowly avoided through a compromise between the parties. Mr. Richmond stressed that it was important to keep a level head, and not play on voters’ fears, especially when a call for “no government” is a catchy but unrealistic goal. He also touched on the deficit, and the complicated compromises that must be reached if the nation wants to dig out of a 14-trillion-dollar debt. Lastly, he spoke about the U.S. role in the Libyan conflict and the dueling philosophies of non-engagement and being a role model for the rest of the world.
He also spoke about the challenges facing New Orleans, especially in light of the dual disasters of Katrina and the BP oil spill. He referenced the city’s indomitable spirit. Fires, floods, diseases, and disasters have afflicted the city, but no amount of natural or man-made disasters have broken the spirit of New Orleans, and the city always comes back. “It’s what we do,” he said, “We always come back.”
The visit ended with a few questions from the students concerning the privatization of schools, how to cut costs in government, and how to pay for our foreign policy actions. Though he had responses to these questions, he frankly stated that no one in government has all of the answers, and he turned the questions back to the students. Though previous generations have done so much, we as a nation are looking forward to see what the next generation will do. Addressing the students, he said, “We expect big things from you – the cure for cancer, diabetes, AIDS – because you are smarter than we are.”
http://www.newmanschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204&tn=Congressman+Cedric+Richmond+Speaks+to+the+Young+Democrats+Club&nid=577031&ptid=133165&sdb=False&pf=pgt&mode=0&vcm=False
It is one thing to learn about current events, civics, and government in a class, and quite another to be able to speak to a legislator in a classroom setting. Mr. Richmond brought current events into the School’s lecture hall, and spoke at length about the subjects dominating the headlines in the last few weeks, including, the threat of government shutdown, the conflict in Libya, and the deficit.
He explained his stance on the government shutdown, which was narrowly avoided through a compromise between the parties. Mr. Richmond stressed that it was important to keep a level head, and not play on voters’ fears, especially when a call for “no government” is a catchy but unrealistic goal. He also touched on the deficit, and the complicated compromises that must be reached if the nation wants to dig out of a 14-trillion-dollar debt. Lastly, he spoke about the U.S. role in the Libyan conflict and the dueling philosophies of non-engagement and being a role model for the rest of the world.
He also spoke about the challenges facing New Orleans, especially in light of the dual disasters of Katrina and the BP oil spill. He referenced the city’s indomitable spirit. Fires, floods, diseases, and disasters have afflicted the city, but no amount of natural or man-made disasters have broken the spirit of New Orleans, and the city always comes back. “It’s what we do,” he said, “We always come back.”
The visit ended with a few questions from the students concerning the privatization of schools, how to cut costs in government, and how to pay for our foreign policy actions. Though he had responses to these questions, he frankly stated that no one in government has all of the answers, and he turned the questions back to the students. Though previous generations have done so much, we as a nation are looking forward to see what the next generation will do. Addressing the students, he said, “We expect big things from you – the cure for cancer, diabetes, AIDS – because you are smarter than we are.”
http://www.newmanschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204&tn=Congressman+Cedric+Richmond+Speaks+to+the+Young+Democrats+Club&nid=577031&ptid=133165&sdb=False&pf=pgt&mode=0&vcm=False