Online Chat
Leland & Gray High Union School
June 18, 1997

*** Sen_Leahy (~senator_l@p1-100.senate.gov) has joined #leahy

[Neil]  Hi. I'll be typing the questions for the students here.

[Neil]  Can you name a few major issues you're working on right now?

[Sen_Leahy]  Neil I'm glad to be with you. Please excuse any mistakes typing as I do my own.

[EmilyC]  Does someone have a first question for the Senator?

[Sen_Leahy]  One of the biggest issues i am working on is an effort to ban the use of landmines worldwide.

[Neil]  What other issues are you working on? We're interested most in education.

[Sen_Leahy]  The biggest effect on education will be what we do on taxes and possible tax deductions for tuition. Most of the education matters in Vermont will still be driven by the state and local authorities.

[Sen_Leahy]  How much longer until your school ends for the summer?

[Neil]  Do you mean deductions for tuition at colleges? How will the deductions work, who will be eligible. We will be going to school until monday the twenty third.

[Sen_Leahy]  Eligibilty will be part of the debate. I expect it will be well into the summer before we have a clear picture of how it goes - and it is college.

[EmilyC]  Does anyone have another question for the Senator?

[Sen_Leahy]  I'm afraid we have a few people outside your school trying to get on but we will kick them off.

[Neil]  This question is from Becky Mello. Becky has been working on a project this quarter about endangered species. We read that there are several proposals in congress to help protect endangered species. Can you tell us about any of these proposals?

[Sen_Leahy]  There have been a number of attempts by Speaker Gingrich and others to weaken the law. There was an attempt to gut the law on appropriations but I, along with others , beat those who wanted to change the law.

[Neil]  Will there be any additions to the law that will strengthen it?

[Sen_Leahy]  The Congress today has been a lot less environmental oriented than it used to be. What I and other environmentalists have to do is to work constantly to protect the laws we have on the books. It is not easy.

[Neil]  This is Carolyn DeMarsico. I'm doing a project on exotic plants. Do you have any information for me about rain forests and cutting them down and protecting them.

[Sen_Leahy]  In South America, Carolyn, there has been terrible destruction of rain forests. It will take an international effort to help countries protect rain forests. We have to do this because we all rely on them.

[Neil]  Where did you live in Vermont, and did you ever visit Townshend?

[Sen_Leahy]  I live on a tree farm in Middlesex Vermont that I have had since I was a teen ager. Was born in Montpelier and i have visited Townshend often. It is a beautiful place.

[Neil]  This is from Sarah Albright and Sarah Terk. We have been doing a project on energy and alternative energy sources. One of the things we have learned is that huge supsidies go to the oil, coal and nuclear industries. Why is this and what can be done to give sustainable sources like wind and solar a better chance to compete. Are there plans to supsidise these industries?

[Neil]  Can you tell us a little about your past and political life? How long have you been a senator, how did you get your start in politics, etc. Do you plan to continue as a senator, if so, for how long?

[Sen_Leahy]  Sarah and Sarah - I have a proposal to add money for renewable energy resources to the federal budget. Some of the programs I have supported are used by Vermont companies and they will be in a position to export their equipment around the world.

[Sen_Leahy]  Any other questions before I go back to the Senate floor?

[Neil]  Are there plans to cut the huge subsidises to the oil, coal and nuclear industries?

[EmilyC]  Senator, did you see the question above about your political life?

[Sen_Leahy]  As the budget goes down subsidies to energy, agriculture etc will go down.

[Neil]  Thanks you senator for taking the time with us. Emily, hang in there, geneva wants to say hi

[Sen_Leahy]  I was born in Montpelier and after law schoold settled in Burlington. Practiced law. Became State's Attorney shortly after my 26th birthday and served at that for 8 years.

[Sen_Leahy]  Was electe to the Senate when I was 34 and have served here for 23 years.

[Neil]  Neil here.. Again, thank you Senator Leahy. Hope that we will be able to cross paths again in the future.

[Sen_Leahy]  The voters of Vermont must decide how long they want me here but I will work as hard as I can for our state until the day I leave - as most Senators would do.

[Sen_Leahy]  Neil I hope I can stop in and see some of you in person some day. In the meantime don't hesitate to call opr write.