Vermont

Online Chats

Senator Leahy: Hello - they just let me out of the hearing

Stowe Student Council: Hello Senator, thank you for taking time to chat with us today. We have elected members of the Stowe Elementary Student Council chatting with you. Collin would like to know what has been the most difficult law for you to pass?

Senator Leahy: Collin there have been many difficult pieces of legislation - the Patriot act was one of the most difficult because so many people wanted to erode our personal privacy beyond what I thought they should.

Stowe Student Council: Kelly would like to know why did you choose to be a senator?

Senator Leahy: Kelly that is a good question - I was born in Montpelier and grew up across from the State House. I spent a lot of time watching our state government but knew the one place a small state like ours could be equal was the US Senate - I felt I could do the most for VT there.

Stowe Student Council: Anna would like to know if you are interested in being president?

Senator Leahy: Anna my wife and I have been married 42 years - if I said I wanted to be President we probably wouldn't make 43! I feel I can do the best for Vermont with my seniority in the Senate.

Stowe Student Council: Courtney would like to know when do you think the war in Iraq will be over?

Senator Leahy: I also can see all of you now - looking good.

Stowe Student Council: Thanks for the compliment... you are looking good yourself!

Senator Leahy: Courtney I wish the war would end tomorrow but we could be there for years. Unfortunately there were plans to go to Iraq but no real plans of how to get out.

Stowe Student Council: Eric would like to know do you have a say on how the taxes are?

Senator Leahy: Eric I get to vote on federal taxes but not Vermont or local taxes.

Stowe Student Council: Hunter would like to know do you think the NHL should have gone on strike?

Senator Leahy: Hunter no one won on that one. The fans were not well served and I think both the players and the owners may find their fan base to be smaller if they ever do settle.

Stowe Student Council: Callum would like to know what is your favorite movie?

Senator Leahy: Callum one of the best movies I ever saw was made long before you were born. It is called "to Kill a Mockingbird" and starred a man who was a friend named Gregory Peck

Stowe Student Council: Mackenzie would like to know if you remember working with Janice St. Onge ? (aka... mom)!

Stowe Student Council: Sloane would like to know what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Senator Leahy: Mackenzie I do and hope you will give her my best - does she know you work hard in school?

Senator Leahy: Sloane I snowshoe or hike around my home in Vermont, I like to read, do photography, target shoot and recently spent some time scuba diving. Unfortunately I don't get much spare time as the majority of my weekends are scheduled with meetings etc in Vermont or Washington.

Stowe Student Council: Collin would like to know if you attended President Bush's State of the Union Address? Do you usually attend this event?

Senator Leahy: I usually attend the Address. I thought the President's Inaugural address was a lot better Collin - in fact I thought it was one of his best speeches and I told him that.

Stowe Student Council: Kelly would like to know what is your favorite place to visit or what is the place you would like to visit?

Senator Leahy: Kelly I like to just get home to my tree farm. It is home, our children grew up there and I really relax there. I have been fortunate to visit many places around the world and was in Rome last week for the Pope's funeral.

Stowe Student Council: Anna would like to know how you propose to provide health insurance to Vermonters at an affordable rate?

Senator Leahy: Anna the initial decision on this will be made by the Vermont legislature. Attempts have been made to have a basic national health plan beyond Medicare and all attempts have failed. I think it hurts our country that 45million working Americans can't afford health insurance.

Stowe Student Council: Courtney would like to know what is your favorite baseball team?

Senator Leahy: Courtney I am a Red Sox fan and finally saw them win! I was at the White House with the President for a ceremony for them last month.

Stowe Student Council: Eric would like to know are there a certain number of years you can be a senator?

Senator Leahy: Eric the Senate terms are 6 years but a Senator can stay as long as his or her state reelects the Senator. I am very grateful my fellow Vermonters have let me serve many years.

Stowe Student Council: Callum would like to know who is your favorite actress and actor?

Senator Leahy: Callum I don't know how to answer that - there are many I like and many I know personally so I will have to think about that one and pass. A dear and close friend of mine was Christopher Reeve who recently died

Stowe Student Council: Hunter would like to know what is your favorite NHL Hockey Team?

Senator Leahy: Callum who is your favorite?

Senator Leahy: Hunter I want you to know that the Patrick Leahy who plays for the Boston Bruins is not me!

Stowe Student Council: My favorite is Ewan McGregor, he was born in Scotland Like I was!

Senator Leahy: Where in Scotland?

Stowe Student Council: Mackenzie would like to know were there any laws you voted against but passed anyway? Callum was born in Ayrshire, Scotland and moved here in 2003!

Senator Leahy: I will have to leave for the Senate floor soon but I have been very impressed with the questions - it shows you are all bright and have very good teachers.

Stowe Student Council: Thank you so very much for your time... it was a pleasure seeing you and writing to you!

Senator Leahy: Mackenzie I have voted almost 12000 times - far more than any Vermonter in history - and I can assure you there have been many times when I have been on the losing side. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!