The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1959-09-10
M GlaAhington
with Req. John Henderson
Information For Students

Information For Students
The sound of the school bells
in Southeastern Ohio provided a
welcome refrain for great num-
Der of overworked mothers who
have looked forward to this day
since mid-June. On the other
hand the school bells that called
Johnny back to the books left
him with a different type of
feeling.
The beginning of the school
year-strange as it may seem
has singular effect upon a Con-
gressman's work. In addition to
the fact that he may have been
busy making arrangements for
his own children, his letter box
often contains letters from stu
dents seeking information on
the workings of the United
States Government and particu-
lars on the mysteries of Congress
sional procedure and action. Re-
quests some in from students
from every school in the district
seeking information for their
themes and special research pro-
iects. Debaters write for argu-
ments pro and con on the cur
rent debate resolution.
Most of the letters that I re-
ceive from students are we'll
written, specific, unambiguous
and to the point, pretty good
indication of the type of train
ing that the writer has had in
school and at home. Once in a
while though, the students feet
leave the floor in an effort to
get a complete source for his
particular project. There are a
couple of letters that I really
treasure. One was simply stated,
"Please tell me everything you
do" The other writer was as
equally concerned with leaving
no stone unturned when she
itemized some thirty or forty
subjects upon which she wished
to have information.
Government publications pro-
vide a wealth of source material
for high school students and two
very popular pamphlets of which
I have a limited supply are call
ed How Our Laws Are Made"
and "Our American Govern
ment."
Legislation
When Congress adjourns (and
the date is anybody's guess)
there will remain well over
10000 legislative proposals which
have not been considered. Most
of them never will be considered
inasmuch as they are trial bal
looms, ideas that are unavoidable,
or proposals that are unpopular
Others may receive consideration
during the second session OF the
Both Congress in 1860. 1t will
not be necessary for these pro
posals to be re-introduced at the
beginning of the session next
year inasmuch as bills survive
the adjournment of a session o1
Congress. However, if they fai
to become enacted into law ir
1860, then they pass into oblivion
since the proposals of one Con
gresS do not survive into a sue
ceeding two year term.
Impressions
Frequently, / am asked regard
ing my impressions as member
Of Congress, or the feeling
may hold toward the duties tina
a representative to Congress ma,
have. 1t would take pages, yes
even volumes to describe all o
the reactions in detail. The sub
ject is one that is difficult t.
summarize and to do so may mis-
place the emphasis on the com
plete role of a representative.
There are some cardinal i'm
pressions that l might mention
here. First, l have always bee
impressed with the immensely G
responsibility that is placed upo
the shoulders Of members c
Congress. Second, l no longer er
tertain the illusion that there j
| an easy solution to every prot
lem. Third, I have learned tn
Illustrations which come as an IL
dividual member of Congress al
tempts to change the old orde
of things. Next, some of tn
spots of governmental error al
just as indelible as the curse
spot in Shakespeare's Macbetl
Even though many agree that
problem exists and that there
a solution, often there is a relu'
tance to accept the solution
Finally, I might mention tt
three Harpies Of government =
cost, size and waste. These thre
, are the chief actors in full
! scale drama with which ever
member of Congress deals dali
i They are the unwanted proger
of government and resist norm
J.. efforts to cause them to evanesc