HHS Students Meet Rep. Frank Wolf

Political Science students met with their representative, Congressman Frank Wolf at his office on Capitol Hill on November 26th, 2002. Below are more pictures, quotes, questions and answers. After our meeting, we visited the Jefferson Memorial. Emily Halonen shows our appreciation to Rep. Wolf for meeting with us.

If your family packed everything they own and moved to Japan, you would still never be Japanese. But anyone from all over the world can come here and become an American. There is something magical about that.

Does the transportation of nuclear waste give terrorists targets and wouldn't it be better to secure it where it is instead of transporting it to Nevada? Dave Talebian Answer: It will be more of a hazard to have the waste in many places instead of one, like Nevada.

In 1997 you voted to require juveniles over 14 charged with serious violent felonies to be prosecuted as adults. Would you apply that to Lee Malvo, one of the D.C. area snipers? Dave Park Answer: That is a tough call, but Malvo is 17 years old so I would be in favor of the state executing him.

In 1988 you voted in favor of reparations for the survivors of the Japanese-American internment camps. Would you vote for something like that in the future when you consider how American citizens of Middle Eastern descent are being treated now? Emily Halonen (left). Answer: Who knows what the future may hold?

In 1998 President Clinton signed your bill regarding monitoring religious persecution in foreign countries. Is this law targeted toward individuals and groups or just governments? Sarabeth Smith (right) Answer: It is just concerning governments, but I am concerned about those groups that persecute religious minorities.

Amit Patel, Mae Ally and George Washington

In 1998 you voted against random, unannounced drug testing for federal employees. Why did you vote that way? Ashley Terban (right) Answer: I have many federal employees in my district and there has not been a demonstrated need for this testing.

You will have to have the strength of moral courage as you make your way through life.

In 1999, you voted in favor of banning the use of drugs for physician-assisted suicide. If an adult patient and his family are willing and a physician is willing to administer these drugs, why should the government have a role in this? Lindsey Mehalik (center) Answer: I understand where you are going on this. Both of my parents had cancer and it is a very difficult choice.

I think any member of congress will tell you that Frank Wolf is not a partisan politician. I'm willing to work with anyone.

In 1996, you voted for Megan's Law, which required law enforcement to notify the public when convicted sex offenders move into the area. Isn't there something to be said for a convict getting a 2nd chance in life and having the same privacy as anybody else? Sadaf Ulomi (right) with Chezka Solon Answer-The public's right to know outweighs the rights of a sex offender.

In 1994, you voted against replacing the death penalty crimes with life sentences. I also noted that you are a Presbyterian. We often hear the saying "What would Jesus do?" Do you think Jesus would be in favor of executing a criminal and if not, why are you in favor of execution? Maggy Vaughn (left) Answer- I don't know what Jesus would do, but the death penalty is in the Old Testament and I believe some crimes are heinous enough to warrant the death penalty

Since human rights is an issue you stress, would you say gay rights falls under human rights and if so should same-sex marriages be legal? Coby Wells Answer- Gay rights does not fall under human rights and I am against same-sex marriage.

Were you concerned when you voted last May to support Israel in their attempts to fight Palestinian terrorism that it would cause more division by looking strictly at this issue as Israel as the good guys and Palestinians as the bad guys? Drew Parkin. Answer- Well it was not one-sided because that same bill provided money for the Palestinian side.

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Kelly and Mike

Bat Wong, Rebecca Gragson, Danielle Jeffries, Rebecca Klare

Rep. Wolf, impressed with the research we did on his voting record, reviews some of our materials.

William Sandell III and Mariam Hashimi