The 8th Grade Goes to Capitol Hill

On April 10, 2014, the NCS 8th grade went to Capitol Hill for a day of political discussion with prominent members of Congress. With one exception, all of the speakers were women, and so serve as role models for students aspiring to government service and political office.

The first speaker was Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who spoke of the need for equal pay for women. Sen. Gillibrand was animated and took many questions from the students. After noting that a recent bill she sponsored about violence against women in the military was defeated, she told students she is now focusing on introducing another bill to help prevent rape on college campuses.

Next, our group walked across Capitol Hill to the House office buildings, where we heard from Rep. Shelly Capito (R-WV) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI).  Rep. Gabbard spoke about the difficulty of traveling back and forth between Washington and her home state of Hawaii. Having served in the Hawaii National Army Guard and having deployed for two tours of duty in Iraq, Rep. Gabbard told the girls about her military service and how important it was to her current position in Congress.

Rep. Capito encouraged the students to be involved in the political process. Both Reps. Gabbard and Capito stated the need for more women to get involved in government, both at the local and the national level. In a nice bipartisan moment, both women sat together with the students and explained how women work together in Congress, and in some cases are able to forge lines of communication that their male colleagues have not developed.

Next, we heard from the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD). Rep. Hoyer spoke outside, on a sunny spring day, in front of the steps directly leading to the House of Representatives chamber. He gave a brief civics lesson about how Congress works, and then took many questions about his job as a leader.

Finally, we returned to the Senate office buildings to hear from Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). Sen. Ayotte mentioned that she plays on a female softball team with Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Gabbard, and the girls were interested that the members play games together. Students asked many questions on a range of topics, from abortion, to same-sex marriage, to the debt, and the minimum wage. Sen. Ayotte was very engaging and responded to the girls at length.

All of the speakers emphasized the need to do well in school, and they also stressed why having more women in Congress is important. The students seemed delighted to hear this message, and many are ready to return on more field trips to the Hill.--Social Sciences Teacher David Sahr. Tasha Walters ‘18 and Hannah Yazdani ‘18 also contributed to this report.
 
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    • The entire 8th grade on the steps of the House of Representatives with House Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

    • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) with students.

    • Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI).

    • House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) speaks to NCS students on a bright spring day.

    • Senator Kerlly Ayotte (R-NH). Photo by Gigi Ewing.