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| ESL Morning Student Council President Marco in the State Capitol in Sacramento |
Here is Marco's report.
March 19 2014, was a special day for Adult Schools in California called "Leg day." It was planned by the CCAE group, for students, teachers and everyone who supports AE to visit legislators in Sacramento, to let them know why AE is necessary, also why Designated Funding would serve better AE.
We arrived approximately around 8:30 am. From faraway we could see the tents' tops .I thought, Oh my Gosh protesters? When we got closer I realized that was an Agriculture Festival.
After entering the Capitol, many teenagers caught my attention. They were wearing blue jackets with nlce design, that said FFA on the back. It probably means future farmers of America and they were doing the same than us, I guess.
First thing was to look for the governor's office. Where the CCAE group was meeting. Awards were given to lobbyists who have worked hard in behalf of the CCAE. Students introduced themselves. It was great to see more than the usual 3 or4 from our school, yeah!
It was like an orientation meeting. After that everyone knew who legislators to visit.
This time, Assistant Director Tim Doyle, Daniel, an ESL student, and I represented our school.
We visited 6 Legislators' offices.
1....Phil Ting and aide Evan Heath.
2.....Kevin Mullin. We met with aide Hanna Snider.
3......Tom Ammiano. We met with aide Xavier Maltese, who spoke to us in Spanish. H said his grandmother attended Adult Schools.
4....Mark Leno and aide . People believe he might run for governor's office.
5.... Leland Y. Yee. We met with aide Alicia Lewis.
And last, Jerry Hill, who is our local Senator.
Two of them I felt like knew little about what was going on with AE, but at the same time they looked interested in finding out more information.
Most of them looked well informed and very supportive of Adult Schools.
One implied, after listening to our stories, that we act like diplomats.
Other said we should reconsider our job, because people are paid for what we were doing in the Capitol.
Sometimes I wish could read people's minds just to know if they're telling the truth.
However, I understand that they were doing their jobs, and at the other hand were doing the same telling them many reasons why AE is essential for us and communities.
Thanks! Legislators and aides for making time for us.
Thanks! SMAS for enabling us, for expanding possibilities beyond our dreams.
I urge AE students to contact your local Legislators, tell them your story.
Tell them why Adult Education Matters!
Thank you to Marco, Daniel, and Tim for representing us to the State Legislature!
To do as Marco suggests and contact your local Legislators, click on their names above. This will take you to their websites with contact info - email, direct mail, and phone numbers.
Talk to your teacher if you need help contacting them.
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