Herndon Students Meet Rep. Keith Ellison
Cheyanne with Rep. Ellison. The Congressman explained his view of the current government shutdown and responded to questions about his voting record and offered advice on how to be successful in life. This meeting took place on October 10, 2013.
Prior to our meeting with Rep. Ellison, we stopped by our representative's office, Congressman Frank Wolf. Shown here is Wolf Chief of Staff Dan Scandaling explaining Congressman Wolf's position on the shutdown.
We also crashed House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's office....as Charley contemplates how he would exercise leadership and power.
Matt ran into Congressman Charlie Rangel.
Sign of the times.
Avoid doing negative things. You may think you're having fun now but I see a lot of people in their 20's that regret a lot of their actions.
Public employees are important. Do you want your roads safe? Your food inspected so you don't have to worry about what you're feeding your family. Police and fire-fighters working to keep you safe. Teachers who work every day to help you maximize your talents. I know many of these people could make more money doing something else but they are working to help you.
Sara (left) If there was one vote you could go back and change, what would it be? ANSWER- There may be one but I can't think of it now. I will say you should always vote your conscience even if it means you'll lose your next election.
Amelia (2nd left)- What do you want us to know about your district in Minnesota? ANSWER- Wonderful people. Peace-loving people. They were against the war in Iraq and that helped me get elected. I was ready to vote for strikes in Syria and in various town meetings they told me they didn't like that.
Charley (3rd left)- On the bill to prohibit abortion in the Obamacare law, we heard pro-life Democrat Rep. Dale Kildee say he would not “risk his eternal salvation” by voting for a bill that pays for abortion and that bill did not do that. Pro-life Republican Rep. Chris Smith said the bill would “open the floodgates to taxpayer paid for abortion.” Who was right? ANSWER- Congressman Dale Kildee was right. If you read the bill it clearly states that federal funds will not go for abortion.
Holly (right)- We saw you say on the House floor that “I don’t
know what they got cooking over there” referring to a meeting the Republicans
were having. What do you think the
real reason is they initiated this process that has resulted in the current
shutdown? ANSWER-
Cheyanne- As a Muslim did it bother you that there was a resolution recognizing the importance of Christmas and Christianity but not one for Islam and Ramadan? ANSWER- Not at all. Many of the same values in Islam are also in Judaism and Christianity. I believe in honoring all faiths.
Parea appears to be making a point.
Azi- Most of my classmates voted against allowing loaded guns in national parks but I thought “Hey, if some grizzly bear is charging at me, I sure would like a gun.” So what’s wrong with having a gun at Yellowstone? ANSWER- Bears and other forest creatures are more afraid of you than you are of them. It is more likely that you would be able to take a picture of them running away from you than needing to fire a gun at one trying to attack you. You don't need a gun in a national park. There are simple precautions you can take to make sure animals don't bother you...and do you want to be dodging bullets in a national park???
Brian- Does your Islamic faith influence how you vote? ANSWER- My Islamic views help give me a better view on what decision to make in regards to voting. The morals that I have help guide me to make good decisions in voting of the good of the people. But I don't vote my religion. For example as a Muslim I don't eat meat or drink alcohol. But if a bill came up banning those things I would vote against because I don't want to impose my religious views on others.
Han, who voted with Rep. Ellison more than anyone else in our class, presents him tokens of our appreciation for meeting with us.