MONTGOMERY: A congressman comes to the classroom

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance made a special visit to Ms. Pirone’s sixth grade language arts class at the Lower Middle School on Feb. 22, thanks to classmate John Ostrowski and his mission to achieve the Citizenship in the Nation Boy Scout merit badge.
   The Republican congressman dropped by the class to personally respond to a letter written by the youngster. The letter was the final requirement in earning the badge — one of the prerequisites needed to attain the level of a Star Scout.
   The Scout had to write to a congressman about an issue he thought was important. Scoutmaster of Troop 46 Richard Epp advised John to send his letter through Rep. Lance’s website to get a quicker response — but a computer glitch led the letter not being answered.
   ”Rep. Lance felt it was right to come today rather than respond in a later fashion,” said Mr. Epp. “He thinks this is valuable and he backs that up.”
   John’s letter expressed his concern about rising college tuition costs.
   ”We should take money out of foreign aid to help our country first,” said the Scout as he read his letter out loud. “We go and help out other countries, which is good — but things are expensive in the U.S. and everyone should have the option to go to college.”
   Rep. Lance acknowledged that college is expensive and rising tuition costs continue to be a challenge for the country. He told the class that certain state aid is available and students are able to get loans — but those loans have to be paid off by taxpayers.
   ”There should be greater amounts available for loans and the administration is working to do this,” he said.
   The congressman considered the Boy Scout’s solution to take more money out of foreign aid to lower the cost of higher education and said he thinks it is something Congress will discuss.
   Rep. Lance told the students the federal government spends $3.7 trillion annually with 1 percent going toward foreign aid. He estimated the yearly budget deficit to be $1.2 to $1.3 trillion, with around 40 percent being borrowed money taxpayers must pay back.
   ”My concern is that it will be your generation that will have to pay it back,” he added. “We need to do a better job on that.”
   Rep. Lance explained his role in the law-making process to the class and gave students the opportunity to ask questions about current issues Congress is facing. After quizzing the students on their knowledge of U.S. government, he tackled questions concerning health care, his working relationship with Democrats and Republicans and the renewal of the Bush administration tax cuts — a tax code he hopes to fully retain.
   When asked what were the country’s current foreign policy changes, Rep. Lance emphasized the importance of making sure the tragedy of 9/11 is never repeated.
   ”There’s also a significant challenge with Iran because we believe the Iranian government is building a nuclear weapon,” he added.
   Students also learned that his interest is in history and law and that his late father and his teachers throughout the years made a significant impact on his decision to serve in Congress.
   Before leaving, Rep. Lance awarded John Ostrowski with his Citizenship in the Nation badge amid the claps and cheers of his classmates.
   ”I hope you continue scouting and rise through the ranks,” he said. “I encourage this class to keep up your fine work and studies — good luck to the sixth grade in Montgomery Township.”