PANAMA CITY — Rep. Steve Southerland stumped for youth involvement in the political process at local high schools Thursday.
Stopping first at Rutherford High School then Bay High School, Southerland gave brief civics lessons, describing the functions of the federal government and the role of the U.S. House of Representatives in the checks and balances system. He also took time to answer questions of importance to a few hundred junior and senior high school students throughout the day.
“We make sure we speak to high schools all around the district,” Southerland said after the Q and A session where students were able to grill the congressman on local and national matters. “Part of our responsibility is to educate our young people on the importance of their involvement in the political process.”\
Though an auditorium full of teenagers can be difficult to keep still or quiet for long periods of time, Southerland said high school students often have more decorum than some of the adult town halls at which he speaks that can “break out into almost war.”
“They were amazingly well behaved, especially when we got into the debate on minimum wage,” he said. “They all had ideas and they find it fulfilling to participate in that political process.”
Students brought up questions of personal importance such as teen bullying, dress codes and texting and driving. Comments on national issues like abortion, social security and diminishing funding for music and arts program are also regular occurrences.
However, Southerland said he hears three recurring topics from students just reaching voting age in the district: legalization of marijuana, gay-marriage rights and Second Amendment rights.
Southerland said the goal of touring high schools is not only to observe the depth of understanding demonstrated by the students but also to encourage their passion toward issues that effect their day-to-day lives and will effect their future.
“It should be a wake up call to many of us adults who underestimate their abilities, and the depth at which they study the challenges and issues that we face… I’m always impressed” Southerland said. “If we could tap into that energy, America would be a better place.”