we are here. the kids are ready

we are typing our hello

Thank you for chatting with us Senator Leahy.

I just got back from the hearing and they have shown me the great photo of all of you. I'm sorry Hanna is sick and hope she is better soon. Mrs. Nevin and Ms. Janiszyn you look as tho you have great students there.

Can we start asking you questions?

Glad to chat with you and who would like to ask a question? And please excuse any mistakes I make typing!

Go ahead

Erika asks: Why did you want to be a Senator?

What do you like about taking pictures

Erika I was born in Montpelier and grew up seeing a lot about our state of Vermont govt. I knew the best place I could help Vermont would be in the US Senate where Vermont has an equal vice to the rest of the country.

I meant equal voice of course. Remember what I said about my typing!

I enjoy photography and have since I was your age. I was born blind in one eye but you only use one eye for photography so it works. A lot of my photos have been published and I use the money they pay me to send to the children's library in Montpelier where I had my first library card

hello, I am Mason. How do you make a decision in your job?

mason says that's nice

Mason I try to get as much information as possible as I did in the hearing this morning. I try to listen to all sides of the issue and than try to decide in a way that will be best for our state and country

Ashley says when did you first start taking pictures?

Ashley I think I was around six. My parents gave me an old black and white camera and that i graduated to a color camera when i got older. Now I use just about every kind of camera and film. I do a little digital work but mostly film.

A lot of the photos on my website are taken from my home in Vermont.

Ashley says we like your pictures on the website and we take digital pictures in school too!

Dylan asks: What do you like about being a senator?

I just sent a digital picture of me to Joanna.

We like the picture of you typing. They are great

Dylan the best part of being a senator is that you learn new things every day. It also gives me a chance to be in contact with my fellow Vermonters as I live both in Vermont and Washington. Everything we do here is interesting - even tho there are very long days. Maybe someday you and your class could come and visit.

Have any of Your Pictures been in story books? Samantha

Samantha my pictures have usually been in magazines like TIME and Newsweek. I haven't had them in story books but would like to. I have written a couple things for BATMAN comics however and I was in one of the Batman cartoons for TV.

Chloe says did you want to be a senator when you were little?

Chloe it seems to me that I always wanted to be a Senator but never thought I would when I was little. I feel very fortunate my fellow Vermonters let me serve in the Senate.

Dylan, Sarah and Erika think it is cool that you were in a cartoon. Were you a bad guy or good guy?

I played a territorial governor in an episode where Batman traveled back in time. They even gave me a big mustache!

Sarah asked, do you like to read and how is your favorite author?

Dylan, Sarah and Erika would you like being a voice in a cartoon some day?

author I mean

Sarah, Dylan, and Erika say YES!

Sarah I love to read and enjoy all kinds of things. David McCullough is a favorite of mine. He is a good friend and I enjoy his history books. I also enjoyed the Rumpole of the Bailey books. What kind of books do you like?

My name is Felicia. How do I get involved with politics. I want to be the first woman president. And Felicia, Mason, and Sam wish they were in a cartoon too. Rugrats, Cat-Dog, or Scooby Doo.

I really enjoyed reading the Ring trilogy a few years ago and enjoyed the Lord of the Rings movie

Kyla says What was your favorite hobby when you were little?

Sarah says I like the magic Tree house

Felicia the best thing is to learn all you can. Read everything you can get your hands on especially history and current events. It is good experience to volunteer in a campaign for someone running in Vermont. It teaches you a lot.

Kyla, Ashley and Chloe would like to be in a cartoon.

Kyla I think I especially liked reading when I was young

Do you like to work on the computer? Why or why not?

I use the computer a great deal. When I am home in Vermont I use it to keep in touch with my Washington office and to follow the news. I get a large number of e-mails every day and it helps in keeping in touch with people. And it lets me do a chat with you.

Hi, Mason again. do you like the Harry potter books?

Mason I just started reading them after seeing the Harry Potter movie. Do get a kick out of them. Do you like them?

Mason says yes! I have a Gryffindor jacket and I am a "seeker."

Ashley says do you just take pictures of Vermont?

Mason - way to go!

Ashley I take pictures all over the world. I even bring my camera when I have meetings with the President and keep the photos for my archives.

Have you played a recorder? or any other instruments? Sarah asks.

Sarah I took piano lessons when I was a child. Wasn't all that good. Now I play my CD player. I do enjoy going to concerts of all types and am friends with a number of musicians.

Hi this is Samantha. When you go to work do you have to dress up?

Felicia asks which musicians?

Samantha I have to wear a suit and tie at work. I enjoy getting home in the evening and changing into a sweatshirt and jeans.

what is your favorite movie Erika

Felicia some are in the country western field like Emmy Lou Harris, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson and Buddy and Julie Miller. Others do severy areas like Sheryl Crow. Some have been long time friends like Harry Belafonte

Chloe says what did you want to be when you were little?

Erika one of my all time favorites was made long before you were born. It is called "To Kill a Mockingbird" with Gregory Peck. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Lord of the Rings too.

Chloe I wanted to be a Senator - but some days I just wanted to go swimming or playing and have a good time.

Kyla says, How many schools have you chatted with?

I am going to have to go back to the Senate floor in a minute but wondered if you had one last question? I am very impressed with your questions. You seem very bright and it is obvious you have good teachers.

What is the hardest part of being a senator?

Kyla I have chatted with 50 - 100. It is one of the things I enjoy the most. The hardest part of being a Senator is the long hours but it is always interesting.

Thank you all for joining  me today

Thank you so much. We had fun!

Goodbye!