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Assemblyman John McKeon Talks Government at Washington Elementary School
WEST ORANGE, NJ – 27 th Legislative District Assemblyman and West Orange resident John McKeon (D) visited the third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Washington Elementary School on June 9 to talk about government, respect, West Orange history and … slime.
McKeon taught students about voting by allowing them to ask questions and suggest issues. They enthusiastically responded by presenting school uniforms – yes or no – for a vote. McKeon reminded students of several things: first, respect those that do not agree with you; both sides present; the legislature votes; if it passes, it goes to the Governor. (The Uniform Bill did not pass.)
McKeon went on to discuss some of the bills he has sponsored including Bill A4190, placing a moratorium on PARCC test scores being used to affect student placement and teacher evaluation for three years; his support for PL2010, Chapter 122, the NJnti-Bullying Bill of Rights; A6185, Distracted driving; and his primary passion, the environment, sponsored and co-sponsored in several Bills.
“The world hit one billion people in population while Thomas Jefferson was President (1801-1809),” he said. “We now have seven billion people on the planet using its resources, and we need to do something to preserve our water and food.”
He told students that research is showing e-cigarettes are just as dangerous as regular cigarettes, noting that while smoking of regular cigarettes is down among youth, 20 percent of high school students now smoke e-cigarettes.
Providing some West Orange history, the Assemblyman told students about former Roosevelt Middle School student, Basketball Superstar Kyrie Irving, and two twin brothers, astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly. He also chatted about the 1999 visit from Nickelodeon and the “Big Help,” which brought about a clean up O’Connor Park. McKeon was the Mayor of West Orange at the time.
“Does anyone know what’s in slime, because I got slimed at the Big Help,” he laughed. The correct answer: applesauce with green food coloring, was finally guessed.
Students applauded as McKeon ended his visit. “As legislators our most important concern is law and safety,” he said. “Laws are not meant to punish, but to help.”
To find out more about Assemblyman McKeon go to:
Assemblyman John McKeon discusses government with students at Washington School.
Students vote down the "Uniform Bill."
Cynthia Cumming