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Congressman Garamendi Conducts Town Hall at Rio Vista High School AP Government Class

May 27, 2014

RIO VISTA, CA – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a father of three public school teachers, spoke with a class of AP U.S. Government students at Rio Vista High School. The meeting was scheduled after the class wrote a report on three major policy issues: welfare, health care, and unequal access to education.

“I want to congratulate these AP Government students, their teacher, and Rio Vista High School for their hard work and inspiring program,” said Congressman Garamendi. “Education is about developing knowledge and critical thinking skills. These students are civically engaged, reaching their lawmakers with policy recommendations on key issues facing our nation. Their willingness to work together in good faith and to build consensus is laudable and a lesson for us all.”

As a class project, the students prepared a report with recommendations on reforming welfare, improving the Affordable Care Act, and addressing education access disparities for lower income and minority students. They had an hour long conversation with the Congressman to discuss the policies suggested.

Congressman Garamendi’s office actively promotes civic engagement for young people in the district through an internship program and high school and community college visits. Since the formation of the 3rd Congressional District, Garamendi has met with students from nine high schools.

During the conversation with the class, Garamendi left with these parting words: “Be a sponge. Absorb the knowledge. In your first two years of college, take a broad study. Take time to understand history. Take macro and micro economics. Take some basic science courses. Think about the opportunities out there. Engage in civic engagement.”