Kaptur speaks with students

SANDUSKY — Steve Kohler's AP government class at St. Mary Central Catholic High School usually discusses civics through books and lectures. But on Monday, they learned directly from a member of Congress. The school hosted U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, who spoke to the junior students about Kaptur's 9th U.S. Congressional District and ideas for improving lives of those in the region while calling on the young learners to be the future. Kohler has had similar visitors in his classroom before, but this is the first time a member of Congress has come to speak. He described the visit as an honor and good exposure for his students to meet someone like Kaptur, who is an expert in so many areas. "I wanted them to learn more about the intricacies of government," Kohler said. "We talk in terms of theory — big picture stuff, branches and how they work. She got into the meat and bones of actual issues and what it takes to get legislation passed and she made it very personal." Kaptur shared Kohler's goal of expanding students' perspective of government while discussing the challenges officials face. Kaptur's visit was to "give them not just a theoretical view of elected life but the kinds of challenges we work with for the county and to share with them the precious place in which we live and that we need their help to make it better." Localizing her position While speaking with students, Kaptur talked about projects and issues she worked on and thought about during her time in the U.S. House. She also urged students to know and care about the area they live in and its nearby Great Lake. "One of the things it asks us to do, the Constitution itself, is to promote the general welfare of the people," Kaptur said. "That's in the preamble of the Constitution." Topics Kaptur discussed with the class included: • Railroad transportation, accommodating larger populations and promoting local economies • The area's rich farmland and waterways and the importance of keeping the lakes clean in relation to climate change, runoff into the water and algae blooms • Phosphorus in the lake water and the potential for one of the students to come up with technology that detects it • The future's need for local farmers, engineers, city planners and involvement in urban forestry to solve the question of "how do we make this place livable and sustainable for the years to come?" • The need for greenhouse technology to feed the country • Wasted thermal energy in sewer systems "Part of your future is you," Kaptur said. "You're experts on the computers, you have great teachers, you're moving into a new future and we need young people to come up and help us solve some of these challenges and opportunities that our county has." Several students shared what they found to be most interesting from Kaptur's visit: • Trey Robinson was interested to learn the size of the area's economy and how important the Great Lakes are for water supply. • Eli Dinsmore said he had never thought about the underground thermal energy that comes from sewer systems. • Caitlyn Collins said she has always heard people talk about the cleanliness of the local lake water. After Kaptur's visit, she now connects the reasoning behind the comments to phosphorus. • Noah Michel learned about the area's rich agriculture and farmland. Kaptur's stance on conflict With the group of students nearing their final year of high school, many are beginning to think of their futures — whether it takes them to college, the workforce or the military. With this in mind, the Register had the opportunity to discuss international conflict with Kaptur. Related to the county's ongoing hostilities with Iran, Kaptur believes the Constitution was violated. She also reflected on a promise she said President Donald Trump made. She said he said forces would be out for days, yet they have been deployed for months. "That's a long deployment without the approval of Congress," Kaptur said. The 60-day deadline for Congress to vote on deployment ends this week, according to Kaptur. She said Congress's voting rights were taken away because they were sent home. She also mentioned the cost of the county's involvement. The United States is paying for it in rising prices, according to Kaptur. She described it as an extra burden on the American people. "Maybe if he would have been a little more careful and not so impulsive, better strategy would have been conceived," Kaptur said. "He's making enemies everywhere. That is not in America's interest and he's costing us here at home." Related to military personnel coming home, Kaptur said the hands of Congress are tied, which is why the next election is so important. "Our party, we have to get a gavel. We don't have a gavel in either chamber," Kaptur said. "We're at war and what they're doing is unfair. This has never happened in our history." Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, will face re-election in November. She does not have a primary opponent in today's election and will face the winner of the Republican primary in the fall. Republicans in the race are former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deputy director Madison Sheahan; U.S. Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp.; former Ohio Rep. Derek Merrin; Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Alea Nadeem; and Groton Township resident Anthony Campbell.