Video of Congressman Sherman in Action
Sherman Oaks, CA – This week Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) addressed approximately 1,200 high school students at Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda and El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills. Sherman has routinely hosted town hall meetings for high school students during his time in Congress.
Sherman spoke about federal issues, military academies and internship opportunities in the Congressman’s Sherman Oaks and Washington, DC offices. Sherman also responded to questions on a wide range of issues including health care reform legislation, jobs, immigration and college loans.
“Meetings like this are critical to the public policy process, providing an opportunity for me to hear about the most pressing concerns of our community’s students and to elaborate on the work that my colleagues and I are tackling in Congress, which impacts students most. The students had thoughtful and insightful questions which added to substantive discussions,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “We had good conversations about a variety of issues that are important to the daily lives of Valley students and residents alike. In these challenging economic times Valley residents of all ages are committed to improving our community and I thank the students for their participation in the meeting.”
“It was a great opportunity for the seniors. Certainly, in my department and classes, we spend a lot of time talking about civic responsibility and civic duty—what it means to be informed and become a participant, not just a bystander,” said Danielle Aucoin, Grover Cleveland High School, Social Studies Department Chair. “Seeing the Congressman here was an opportunity for the students to see a real person who works to implement laws and effect change that can truly impact their lives. A huge part of our work as teachers, especially in history and government, is to make the work interesting and relevant to the students. The Congressman’s visit accomplished this.”
“This visit is tremendously helpful to our government and economics students. These are young adults who lived through an immensely historic election-- they studied it and discussed it all the time,” said Dave Fehte, Principal, El Camino Real High School. “I think that prepared them for the discussion today, the questions they asked were thoughtful and challenging."
Sherman highlighted his work on expanding college opportunities for more Americans by helping to pass The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which was recently signed into law. This bill provides the largest increase in student aid in history, while also reducing the deficit. This important legislation, strengthens the Pell Grant program, invests in community colleges, extends support for Historically Black Colleges and Minority Serving Institutions, and helps student borrowers manage their student loan debt.
Congressman Sherman directed the students to contact his Sherman Oaks office at (818) 501-9200 for further assistance with federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education. He encouraged constituents to visit his website (www.BradSherman.house.gov) for more helpful information.
