Hillsboro Tribune - Wyden, Bonamici Tap Into Student Concerns, Interests

News Article

By Kathy Fuller

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici visited Hillsboro's Liberty High School last week as part of the senator's ongoing efforts to reach out to the state's young generation.

In meetings with high school students across the state that he calls "Listening to Oregon's Future," Wyden said he hopes to hear about what is on the minds of high schoolers.

Bonamici and Wyden answered non-stop questions for an hour from a group of about 150 students, covering a wide range of topics, from school safety to legalizing marijuana and social issues such as the right to die debate and same-sex marriage.

Wyden began his "Listening to Oregon's Future" visits after the federal government shutdown in October 2013.

"I wanted to go home and listen to high school students and find some real adults to talk to again," he told the students.

Raising a timely issue in the wake of the high school shooting at Gresham's Reynolds High School last June and another in Marysville, Wash., two weeks ago, one student asked Wyden and Bonamici what they can do to help ensure safety in schools.

Bonamici said she would like to see a broad approach to keeping kids safe in their schools, including better access to mental health care.

"I don't support arming teachers," she said. "I don't think more guns are the answer."

Wyden, too, talked about the importance of a "seamless, interoperable" mental health care system across the country.

"We've got to figure a way to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill," Wyden said. "I don't think that in any way interferes with Second Amendment (rights)."

Also of concern to the students was the rising cost of college tuition. Bonamici said she supports more access to Pell grants and the ability to refinance current student loans at lower rates. Wyden said he is working to change the fact that colleges and tuition have been "impregnable in introducing market forces," adding that he co-sponsored the "Know Before You Go" act to make college costs more transparent.

"This is the premier economic issue for your generation," he told the students. Education must be affordable, he said, because "education is the path forward; the key to fixing income inequality."

A few students queried the elected officials on how to get more involved in politics and public service.

"There are plenty of issues we want you involved in. You're way out in front of people twice your age, especially in technology," Wyden said.

Bonamici had one word of advice: "Vote," she advised.

"A lot of things are going to affect you going forward: air quality, roads, making college affordable. Get involved in that," she said.

Liberty senior Andres Hernandez asked Wyden and Bonamici for their advice to minority and immigrants students as they consider college and career.

"Get a taste of as many different fields as you can," Wyden said.

Wyden then offered his opinion about students whose parents illegally brought them to the United States as children.

"I think it's a big, big mistake to hold back youngsters who have done nothing wrong," he said.

Bonamici agreed.

"Everyone has something to contribute," she said.

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