Kids Ask

Hi Kids,

If you are visiting this page, you are probably doing a school project on government or candidates. I have tried to provide you with my answers to some of the most common questions that the thousands of school children I visit every year ask me. Have fun. If you can’t find the answer to your question on this page, email me. If you have a great idea for a new law or how to improve government, I would also love to hear from you.

Best,

 

Kids Questions

• Q: How old are you?
  A: I am 50.

• Q: Where were you born?
  A: Camden, NJ

• Q: Where did you grow up?
  A: Bellmawr, NJ

• Q: What schools did you go to?
  A: I graduated from Triton High School in Bellmawr in 1975. I then went to Bucknell University and graduated in 1979. After graduating from Bucknell, I went to Cornell Law School and graduated in 1982.

• Q: Were you a good student?
  A: Yes, but I had to work hard. I discovered, though, that the more I studied, the easier school was.

• Q: What was your favorite subject in school?
  A: History.

• Q: What was your first job?
  A: I was a counselor to a summer day camp at my town’s playground when I was 14.

• Q: Do you have pets?
  A: Yes, we have always had cats. Right now we have two six year-old Siamese cats. Their names are Halo (the darker one) and Cuppie (the lighter one). They are sisters.

• 
• Q: Why do you want to be a Senator?
  A: Because Senators have more say in how America can fix the problems that people face every day.

• Q: Did you always want to be in government?
  A: No, I wanted to be a sports writer when I was younger.

• Q: What made you decide to be in government, and how old were you when you made this decision?
  A: There were two important things that happened in my life when I was about 14. First, because I wanted to be a sports writer, I applied for and got a job with a local newspaper. But, I didn’t get assigned to write the sports column. Instead, I was sent to school board and city council meetings. To my surprise, I loved it. At the same time, my father had recently lost his job when the New York Shipyard in Camden closed, and it was a stressful and difficult time for our family. I was confused. From watching the board and city council meetings, I knew that government could solve people’s problems. Yet, in my own life, government wasn’t doing anything to help my dad or our family. My dad has lost his hob through no fault of his own. He had worked for 41 years and did everything that was asked of him. I just knew that I could help make government work for everyone, even people like my dad.

• A: Why are you in politics?
  Q: The reason I’m in politics is that I want to help people solve their problems; I want to do right by our country to build a strong America that we can pass on to my children and their children.

• Q: What is your job?
  A: I basically have three jobs
  • I listen to people and try and figure out ways to solve their problems.
  • I work with other members of Congress to pass laws.
  • I need to go out and explain my ideas to people and try to get them to support my ideas.

• Q: How much do you make?
  A: I make about $165,000 per year. That is more than my Dad probably made in ten years of his life so I am very happy. But, surprisingly, it is probably less than I would make as a first year lawyer in New York given my educational background. It’s kind of odd when you think about it that I’m probably making less than someone who has the same education and is about 20 years younger. But, this job is all about public service. You shouldn’t go into government if all you are interested in is making money. I love what I do.

• Q: What laws that you wrote are you most proud of?
  A: There are so many laws that I have co-sponsored and supported over the years, but I would have to say that some of the laws that I wrote that I am really proud of would probably include:
  • Direct Student Loan bill because it helped millions of students afford college.
  • Mortgage Relief bill that helped millions of people hold on to their homes.
  • Defense Tech Center bill that helped create over 600 new high tech jobs in New Jersey.
  • Laws that prohibited the dumping of VX Residue Nerve Agent in the Delaware River.
  • Grandparent’s Visitation Rights law that helped grandparents have real relationships with their grandchildren even after there was a death or divorce in a family.
  • Laws that required states to have education and stiffer fines against drowsy drivers who cause accidents that can kill people.

• Q: What do you like most about being in government?
  A: You get to know and learn from all kinds of people. In the course of one week, I may talk to homeless people and the President of a huge company. I may meet a brilliant scientist and a mother who has lost her job. I can solve people’s problems by:
  • Writing a law to help millions of Americans, or
  • Helping individuals with their own unique problem, such as a family that wants to adopt a baby and can’t get it into the county.

• Q: What do you like least about being a politician?
  A: I don’t like it when other politicians put their opponents down and distort truth and facts. I also don’t like it when politicians speak through other people. If they have something mean to say about someone, they should have the courage to use their own voice. Politics is a lot like schoolyard bullies. They may scream louder and hit harder, but at the end of the day, they are judged by their true character. A lie simply can’t become a truth because you say it more often or louder.

• Q: Have you ever been to the White House?
  A: Yes, it is an amazing place. I have sat with Presidents in their offices and private residences. There is a tremendous feeling of being part of something much bigger than yourself when you are there. That something is history.

• Q: Do you play any instruments?
  A: Yes, I play the piano, but I can’t read a single note of music. I play completely by ear.

• Q: What was your favorite birthday?
  A: This year, my 50th, was actually my favorite birthday. I was very sad because we had votes on my birthday and our family vacation that day was supposed to have started at Ocean City. My wife and kids had already left for the shore. It was about 10:30 at night when we finished votes, and I was all alone on this big day. As I walked through the lobby of the hotel, I looked up and saw the faces of the four women I love most staring at me with a cake and balloons. They had driven all the way down to be with me. I still get choked up thinking about what a great family I have.

• Q: What kind of books do you like to read?
  A: Biographies.

• Q: What do you do in your spare time?
  A: I love to watch my daughter Jackie play sports. I also like to watch Josie perform.

• Q: What is your favorite food?
  A: Pizza and chicken.

• Q: What is your favorite dessert?
  A: Hot apple pie ala mode

• Q: What is your favorite snack?
  A: Pretzels, any kind.

• Q: What is your favorite ice cream?
  A: Butter pecan.

• Q: Have you ever been to Disney World?
  A: Yes, twice. Once on my high school class trip in 1975, and Camille and I took the girls to Disney World in 1997.

• Q: Do you have a limousine?
  A: No. I usually ride in an eight-year old Ford Explorer.

• Q: Do you have Secret Service?
  A: No.

• Q: What cereal do you eat?
  A: Frosted Mini Wheats.

• Q: What is your favorite meal of the day?
  A: Breakfast.

• Q: Did you play sports when you were younger?
  A: Yes, baseball. But, my coaches would tell you that I excelled more at singing the National Anthem than playing ball.

• Q: What is your favorite time of year?
  A: Summer, definitely. The days are longer, you can get more done, and you can go more places.

• Q: What is your favorite holiday?
  A: Thanksgiving. I love everything about that day. I love going to the high school football game with my daughters. I love walking in the house to the smells of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie. I love that everyone I love is seated around the table that day. My wife was also born on Thanksgiving day, so I’m particularly grateful for that holiday.

• Q: What is your favorite TV show?
  A: Wonder Years.

• Q: Who is your favorite singer?
  A: My daughter Josie.

• Q: What is your favorite song?
  A: A song written by my daughters Josie and Jacquelyn called “We Will Meet Again.”

• Q: What is your biggest strength?
  A: My character is something that I am proud of. I am also a real people person. I genuinely am interested in listening to what people have to say and I’m never too old to learn or to admit that I was wrong about something.

• Q: Do you have any weakness?
  A: Anything that says “Some Assembly Required.” Using a hammer, nails, or screw driver is simply something that my wife is better at than I am.

• Q: Do you have a MySpace page?
  A: Yes, right here.