Online Chat
Champlain Elementary School
April 15, 1997

[PatLeahy]  Hi I am glad to be with you and if you will excuse any mistakes in typing let's get started.

[Champ]  Good afternoon, Senator. This is Charlie Cavanaugh, lab instructor at Champlain Elementary in Burlington. I have some students who'd like to talk to you.

[PatLeahy]  Hi Charlie let's go ahead.

[Champ]  From David Schapiro: Can you explain the reason why congress has passed so few bills in the last few months?

[PatLeahy]  David this has been the worst Congress I have served in. Speaker Gingrich has not moved legislation and Sen Lott, the Leader in the Senate won't either. I think the Republicans are having some real internal fights.

[Champ]  So you blame this on the Republicans?

[PatLeahy]  I blame it on the very partisan attitude that has developed in the Congress. There is plenty of blame to go around but it is hurting the country. It is time for Republicans and Democrats to get together for the country.

[Champ]  From Josh Kernoff: How long have you been a senator?

[PatLeahy]  22 years. I was the 34 year old Chittenden County State's Attorney living in Burlington when I was elected.

[Champ]  By the way, senator, knowing that your time is probably limited, I'm allowing each of the 7 students 1 question and a follow-up.

[PatLeahy]  Sounds great.

[Champ]  followup: How much longer do you want to continue being a senator? Do you miss family & friends?

[PatLeahy]  There is an election next year and the people in Vermont will make that decision. I get home to my home in Vermont several times a month and get to see friends and family than. I do miss them very much during the week.

[Champ]  From Miriam Marcotte: Do you have any pets or favorite animals?

[PatLeahy]  I don't but each of my children have dogs and I love playing with them. Two choclate labs, a Jack Russel terrier, a mixed breed and a Rottweiler.

[Champ]  From Miriam again: Do you have a role model?

[PatLeahy]  I have been inspired by many people but I think my father is first in that group. He was a self taught printer, son of a stonecutter and the best read man I knew [also the most honest person I knew].

[Champ]  From Jon Larson: What things in the government do you take care of, or are in charge of?

[PatLeahy]  Jon I am the Ranking Member on Judiciary which means I do a lot with selection of federal judges, oversight of the FBI and some aspects of the CIA. I am also on the Appropriations committee which determines how the money of the federal government is spent. ILLUminat joined.(total 5)

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[Champ]  Followup:If there are any problems in any of these areas, what are you doing to improve them?

[PatLeahy]  I will be working with the FBI to improve their crime lab. It has serious problems that need fixing. I am also concerned that we need more federal judges to keep up with the needs of a growing country. In spending matters I try to improve the kind of spending that goes to small states like ours.

[Champ]  From Margaret Leddy: What are some of the big issues facing the United States today?

[PatLeahy]  Margaret I want you to know your cousin Sam is doing a great job here in Washington. I believe we have to greatly improve the amount of education all of us get in our country so we can be competitve with the rest of the world. What you are doing on computers will help.

[Champ]  followup: What is the most important issue of all? P.S. How did you know I had a cousin named Sam?

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[PatLeahy]  Sam works for me. The most important issue in a nuclear age is world peace. If we have that than nations can work together to protect the environment, provide jobs, food etc for their people.

[Champ]  From Lindsay Bouton: What is your favorite part of being a senator?

[PatLeahy]  Lindsay my favorite part is being a Vermonter and knowing I can see and talk with my fellow Vermonters a lot easier than a Senator from a large staate - just like we are doing now. Being only one of 100 allows me to be involved in all the major issues in the country facing the Senate and the President.

[Champ]  From Adrienne Perry: Were you interested in politics at about age 10?

[PatLeahy]  Adrienne I have to admit I was. I grew up in Montpelier almost across from the State House and even rode my trycycle in the halls of the State House when I was five. I always enjoyed seeing the legislators, governor and others going around Montpelier and i studied a lot about government in school.

[Champ]  followup: Did you want to be a senator or in some other part of government?

[PatLeahy]  I think I always wanted to be a Senator because it was the one office where Vermont's voice was equal to any other state even the largest.

[Champ]  Senator, All of the students have posed questions. Do you have time for more?

[PatLeahy]  I am sorry because I have to go to the Senate floor now and will have to leave. Why don't I take one more?

[Champ]  From Josh Kernoff: Where did you go to college, and were you on the debate team or a sports team?

[PatLeahy]  Josh I went to St Michael's for my college degree and Georgetown for my law degree. I was on a moot court team in law school and on the rifle team at St. Mike's as well as a photographer for the student newspaper.

[PatLeahy]  It has been great being with you and I hope to see you personally sometime in Burlington or Washington. Study hard and listen to your teachers. They are great people and want to help you.

[Champ]  Thank you, Senator, for your time. All of the students here appreciate your visit. Thank you all-- this was great. Make sure to check out the web page later today.