Online Chat
Rumney School
February 7, 2001
Rumney School:
Hi Senator , We are very excited to start our chat with you
Sen Leahy: Great to be with all of you - It almost feels as though
I was on Notch Road!
Rumney School:
Where do you live in Middlesex?
Sen Leahy: I am in an old farm house on Notch Road - it is a house
my parents got when I was a teenager growing up in Montpelier. My wife and I
turned it into a year round place and try to get there many times each month.
Sen Leahy: Right now, of course, I am in my office in Washington!
Rumney School: When and why did you decide to become a Senator?
Sen Leahy: I have always been interested in government - especially
growing up across the street from the State House in Montpelier. I knew that a
little state like ours in equal to all other states in the United States Senate
and that I could do the most for Vermont in the Senate. I have been very
fortunate that my fellow Vermonters give me the privilege of being here.
Sen Leahy: Meant "of being" here. I am a better Senator
than I am a typist!
Rumney School:
What has been your greatest challenge as a Senator?
Sen Leahy: There are so many issues that come before the Senate
that it is hard to keep up with all of them - even when I read hundreds of pages
of items a day. My challenge is to focus on those where a Vermont voice can make
the most difference and those issues where my conscience tells me to work the
hardest.
Rumney School:
Have you helped make any laws besides the Leahy law?
Sen Leahy: I helped write the Dairy Compact that helps Vermont,
wrote the law that expanded the Green Mountain National Forest, have written
legislation to help fight the illegal drug traffic and have written a lot of
laws in the high tech area.
Sen Leahy: What is the weather in Middlesex today?
Rumney School:
What was it like to be the only democratic senator from Vermont? And it is a
very snowy day however it a very sunny day
Sen Leahy: It seems strange to be the only Democrat elected from
Vermont but I know I am here to represent all Vermonters no matter what party
they belong too. Fortunately I am one of the most senior of the Senators and
that helps Vermont. Incidentally my children gave me snowshoes for Christmas and
I have enjoyed snowshoing in Middlesex this Christmas and will again next week]
Rumney School:
We snowshoe here at Rumney, Would you like to join us some time?
Sen Leahy: : I'd love to come by Rumney - I think it is a great school. I
hope you will say hello to Ms. Martin and Dan Ryan for me. You are fortunate to
have such good teachers there and I know your parents all work hard to keep the
school so good.
Rumney School:
Thank you! Mr. Ryan and Ms. Martin are with us! We will have to
schedule a time with you to join us at Rumney for winter fun! What is your
favorite committe?
Sen Leahy: : In many ways I enjoy the Judiciary committee the most . I am
a lawyer and I was a prosecutor so it is the one I have had the most training
for. There are a lot of rural issues in Agriculture that interest me and
Appropriations committee is the one that let's me do the most for Vermont. I'll
try to come by some day when I can tell you more about what we do in each
committee.
Rumney School:
What are your hobbies?
Sen Leahy: My favorite hobby is photography. I have had a lot of my
photographs published and I do enjoy that. In fact some of my photographs of
President Bush's inaugurall were published.
Rumney School:We
heard you were in a movie, is that true?
Sen Leahy: I have also been in a couple of Batman movies and I sent
one of the checks the movie company gave me to Rumney for the playground.
Sen Leahy: They wouldn't let me drive the Batmobile though but I
did sit in it!
Rumney School: We appreciate your donation we love our playground!
Rumney School: What character were you?
Sen Leahy: I actually played myself but my son Mark had a bigger
role. In one of the Batman movies I am in a dance scene that has Jim Carrey in
it and in the other one I am in a scene with George Clooney and Uma Thurman.
Rumney School: What do you like best about being a senator?
Sen Leahy: There is always something interesting going on. No
matter what you are interested in the Senate will be involved at some time. It
is especially nice coming from our state of Vermont because I can get home often
and be with people I have known most of my life.
Rumney School: We have been studying American history this year in
social studies and have learned how our country was formed by the Founding
Fathers. We have discussed the electoral college a lot this year because
of the election of 2000. How do you feel about the electoral college?
Sen Leahy: : Senator Hatch and I will have hearings about the electoral
college but we will wait until later in the years. Right now there are such
divisions because of the contested Florida vote, the difference in the popular
vote [where Al Gore got a half million more votes than George W. Bush but
President Bush got one more electoral vote] that we thought we'd do the hearings
when everything is calmer.
Sen Leahy: Have time for one more question.
Rumney School:
Many of us thought it was an unfair election because of the popular vote factor.
We look forward to seeing what happens later and understand why you would want
to wait! What do you think has been your greatest accomplishment as a
senator?
Sen Leahy: Every day I think if I can make Vermont proud of what I
do here that that is the accomplishment I want the most. I think of that when I
try to improve education in rural areas, to help feed hungry Americans, to ban
landmines around the world and to make sure everyone is heard in our debates -
not just the special interest.
Sen Leahy: The best part of today has been being with all of you and I
wish you the best. Hope to see you in Middlesex
Rumney School:
Thank you for chatting with us! We are proud that you represent us in
Washington. We look forward to seeing you at Rumney very soon!
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