Online Chat
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School
March 25, 1998
[PatLeahy] Hi - it's good to be with all of you. i was in Windsor a few weeks ago.
Is Leigh in the class?
[Casey] Yes
[PatLeahy] Hi Amy, Hi Maria.
[Lon] Hi it's Kaitlyn & Betsy and we want to know what you think of act 60
[PatLeahy] Kaitlin and Betsy act 60 is before the Vermont legislature and, of
course, it is not an item I can vote on. I think the legislature is doing all it
can considering the Vermont Supreme Court ordered them to act - but I assume they
will be making some changes as they go along.
[KatieW] Hi, Michael Weld is wondering what you think of the Clinton scandel.
[PatLeahy] Incidentally i do my own typing so please forgive any mistakes I make -
even tho I am a printer's son!
[Maria] Hi! it's Heather, Maria, and Eric we would like to know where you think
computer technology is going
[PatLeahy] Michael I believe in things being proven. Right now there are a lot of
allegations with little proof. If they are proven we will address them - in the
meantime there are a lot of other problems facing the country that need to be
addressed.
Senator Leahy, this is Candice and I was wondering what it took for you to
be elected into the senate?
[KatieW] we agree
[PatLeahy] JHeather Maria and Eric I don't think any of us now how far tehnology
will go. I have asked that question of Bill Gates and every other expert I can
find.
[Casey] Hi this is Casey Ewald, Are you dissapointed that Lake Champlain is not
going to be called a Great Lake?
[Lon] This is Leigh and I would like to know if Puerto Rico is going
to become a state?
Please allow Senator Leahy to answer each question before sending any
others.
[PatLeahy] I do know that technology can be a great help - but only for those who
learn their basics in school, develop math and reading skills and - hopefully - a
sense of history.
[PatLeahy] Casey Lake Champlain is a wonderful and great lake in my estimation. I
have fought to get money to protect it and study it and won a big victory
yesterday in the Senate to do that.
[Maria] I am glad that the lake will be funded but I believe it does not deserve the
title of great lake,Maria.
[PatLeahy] Candice it took a lot of Vermonters who were willing to volunteer and
work very hard to elect me - especially as I was only 34 and the youngest person
ever elected to the Senate from Vermont. A lot of people had more money to run
than I did but what made the difference were all the volunteers - some your age!
How long does it normally take for a law to be passed? Amy asked that.
[Fred] Mr. Leahy, What is your opinion about the bombing over the internet, in Fair
Haven, Vermont?
[PatLeahy] Leigh I don't think Puerto Rico will become a state this year - but they
should be allowed to decide if they want to become a state. If they did i would
be proud to have them .
[KatieW] What was your motivation to run for Senate? from katie and christa
[Lon] Is it hard to become a senator *Betsy*
[PatLeahy] Gelsey some laws pass very quickly - we declared war in World War II in
just 48 hours and some take years of fighting like the first Civil Rights Act.
One question at a time please.
[PatLeahy] Fred the FBI and the US Attorney Charles Tetzlaff are working very hard
on that case. I hope they can convict the person who did it. I have tlaked
several times about it to Director Freeh and Mr Tetzlaff. The bomb is the weapon
- not the internet.
[Fred] Good
[Lon] have you met the President ? Betsy, Leigh ,& Kaitlyn
[PatLeahy] Betsy Katie and Christa- it is hard work to become a Senator but in
Vermont it is different from most states.
[PatLeahy] My family has been in Vermonmt for 150 years and when I run I find
relatives and friends all over the state. They know I am motivated to run because
I know the Senate is the only place in the government where Vermont's voice is
equal to any other state.
How do you feel about the young children in Alabama that shot and killed
classmates?Candice
[PatLeahy] Betsy Leigh and Kaitlin - I meet with the President many times every month. My wife and I were at a dinner with him a day before he went to Africa and
we were with him at the White House for St Patrick's day.
[Casey] Do you have much time of your day to spend with your family? €casey€
[Maria] Family is the key to motivation and happiness -Maria
[PatLeahy] Candice I am sick thinking about the shooting. It is a terrible tragedy
for the town, the families and everyone there. All of them deserve our sympathy
and prayers.
Do you think that the violence in the south will spread throughout the
states ? Gelsey Kurtzhalz .
[Maria] I agree
[PatLeahy] Casey and Maria - my family always comes first. If there is a family
event it takes precedence over all others. My wife and I are looking forward to
being with our daughter in Vermont this weekend and with our first grandchild and
his parents next week.
[Fred] Mr. Leahy, I know you are a U.S. Senetor, but do you think Vermont will Pass
the ninty-day Drivers License Law?
[KatieW] Is there an email address where we can send you questions later? katie
You can send questions to senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov
[KatieW] thanx
[Lon] Do you and your family ski, If so where? Have you ever been to
Ascutney Mt Resort? *Betsy & kaitlyn*
[PatLeahy] Gelsey - no area has precedence for violence. It can happen anywhere as I
learned when I was a prosecutor in Vermont. We have to do everything possible to
make sure it doesn't happen here - but we are fortunate to live in the safest
state in America.
*** Casey (Casey@170.222.108.58) has left #leahy
[PatLeahy] Fred I don't know what the legislature will do on 90 day.
[Fred] ok
I hear that you are one of the heads of the Agricultural department. What
exactly does that require you to do?Amy and Cassandra.
[KatieW] is Vermont really the safest state in the Nation? christa and katie
[PatLeahy] Lon my wife and I do a lot of cross country skiing but usually do it at
our tree farm in Middlesex Vermont.
[PatLeahy] Amy and Cassandra - I am a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. We oversee 75 Billion dollars of spending on hunger, agriculture and
research money each year.
[Maria] Natalie- what is it like working with senator leahy? *heather*
That's is really nice and good to hear!
We have time for two more questions.
[Fred] Mr. Leahy, What Is Your Opinion On Censorship On The Internet?
Does your job ever require you to travel?
[Lon] how has dairy industry been affected since the ice storm of 98.
[Lon] Natalie, I can stay on line if you can. From Leigh
[KatieW] Thankyou for your time Senator Leahy! christa and katie
[Lon] Thanks
[PatLeahy] Fred I am opposed to censorship in any form. Parents can decide what
their children watch in movies, TV or on the internet. Government does not have
to be Big Brother.
[Fred] Yes, My point exactly
[Maria] Senator leahy: it has been more then a pleasure! good bye- parting is such
sweet sorrow! Heather Carmichael and Maria Acks
[PatLeahy] Gelsey my job requires a lot of travel but the many trips I make home to
Vermont each month are the best.
[Maria] :^)
[PatLeahy] Enjoy - hope I can see you in person one of these days. It was nice being
with you.
