Students get lesson in civics from Hyde

This story, republished from our archives, first ran May 5, 2001.

As chairman of the U.S. House International Relations Committee, U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde holds court with foreign kings and queens.

But it was 500 students at Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale who had the congressman's attention on Friday.

The Wood Dale Republican accepted an invitation to speak to the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders about citizenship as part of Carol Stream Elementary District 93's Character Counts! program.

Citizenship is one of the six "pillars" of character promoted by the national program, which has been implemented in many DuPage County schools.

"This is a man who has served his country for many years," said social studies teacher Rich English. "He typifies what service to your country is all about."

Hyde, now one of the longest-serving members of Congress after voters elected him to his 14th term last year, said he always tries to accept invitations to speak with students.

After giving students a half-hour civics lesson on the U.S. House of Representatives, including his new role as International Relations Committee chairman, he took questions from students on a range of issues, including social security, the recently downed spy plane in China, tax cuts and education.

Eighth-grader Lauren Bryjowski wanted to know if Hyde supported raising the minimum wage, an issue that will grow in importance for these children as they become teens entering the work force.

"I believe it should be increased," Hyde said, "and it should happen this year."

Eighth-grader Jenna Szybowicz said she liked hearing about the interesting people Hyde gets to meet, including foreign leaders and ambassadors.

"He gave us a lots of interesting facts about Congress that we didn't know about," she said.

After last year's election, the 76-year-old Hyde suggested his 14th term may be his last, but with a new Republican president in George W. Bush, he said he has every intention of running again in 2002.

English said he hoped Hyde's talk resonated with the fidgety students.

"He talked about a lot of things we have talked about in class," English said.