The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution

A Discussion with US/Va History Students and Rep. Frank Wolf

HHS student Rachel Swineford and Rep. Frank Wolf. Rep. Wolf discussed the historical significance and current applications of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This discussion took place on February 2nd, 2004. Two local newspapers, the Herndon Connection and the Herndon Observer covered this event.

HHS senior Branden Keck introduces his boss, Rep. Frank Wolf. Branden is interning in Rep. Wolf's Washington, D.C. office.

The Declaration is not just a covenant with Americans, but with people all over the world. God has given us these rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, not a group of men in Philadelphia. Because of that, these rights can never be taken away.

Zoheb (a.k.a. Dr. Retro Funk)- One of the reasons for the Declaration was that colonists had no say in the taxes England put on them. So what do you think of Washington, D.C. that pays taxes but they don't have a member of the House that can vote?

Rep. Wolf- Well, Mrs. Norton (DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton) does not have a vote on the floor of the House, but she does vote in committee...but many capitals cities throughout the world are set up the same way. D.C. is not a state, they have no agriculture or industrial base so they could not have two senators, but I guess there is a rationale for there to be a vote in the House.

Solomon- The last line of the Declaration states "...we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Those guys were risking their lives, but have you ever voted a certain way or taken a stand which made you worry you might lose your job in in the next election?

Rep. Wolf- I vote what I think is right. Sometimes the people like it, sometimes they don't. But I work for you and should listen to you. But ultimately I vote my conscience.

Prior to Rep. Wolf's arrival, Narwin Ahmad discussed her proposed constitutional amendment with a Herndon newspaper reporter. Below- Narwin exercises her first amendment right to petition the government (Rep. Wolf) for a redress of her grievances, namely, that foreign-born American citizens are not allowed to run for president. She then presented to Rep. Wolf signatures on a petition supporting a constitutional amendment that would allow foreign-born citizens to run for president.

Rep. Wolf- Are you getting ready to run? :-)

Narwin- If I had the opportunity, sure, I would think about it.

Rep. Wolf- I remember you wrote me about that. We will look at it. I have read a lot about the constitutional convention but not a lot about this particular part of it. My sense is that the we had broken away from England and didn't want someone from England trying to come here and run things. I do know we have had heroic American soldiers that were not born in this nation, so we should consider this. Thank you.

Tim (left)- Why, when a president is impeached and convicted is he removed from office? Why not a lesser penalty?

Rep. Wolf- Impeachment is pretty serious. Impeachment is so serious that if a president didn't do something really bad, they would not do the impeachment.

Tara- In the preamble to the constitution it states, "...secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." As you think about how congress currently works, does congress keep the future in mind when making decisions or is it a more short-term, problem-solving approach?

Rep. Wolf- I think both. For example, I'm worried about this deficit. I think it will consume my grandchildren. I worry. I worry about this deficit not just for this year, but for the future. The demographics are changing so much, this deficit is going to kill us. 28 months ago we had a surplus, now we have a record deficit.

Nolan- Do you find it annoying that you guys have to run for office every two years whereas senators run every 6 years and the president every 4 years? Would you like to see that change?

Rep. Wolf- The Founding Fathers had it right. It keeps you closer to your district.

HHS students getting a first-hand look at how our government works.

Ashley- Congress has not declared war since WW II, yet we've fought the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Why doesn't congress declare war anymore? Aren't you guys giving the president too much power?

Rep. Wolf- We can declare war but there are serious ramifications regarding other nations if we do that. It's very complex...but the end result is still war.

Rep. Wolf- Our system is set up to have a series of checks and balances...so we don't rush through things in the passion of the moment.

Members of the press and Rep. Wolf's staff.

Alexa contemplates Rep. Wolf and our system of government.

One-On-One with Rep. Wolf

Kazim

Tanvir

Michelle

Tim