Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 18, 1993 TAG: 9312230296
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Barbara Crockett's three U.S. history classes have ``adopted'' freshman Del.-elect Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg.
And Shuler, a veterinarian, is returning the favor: He's promised to show the students around the nation's oldest lawmaking body when they visit Richmond next month.
As a precursor to that visit, Shuler met with the students Friday at Harding Avenue Elementary School. He gave what amounted to a primer on the legislative process and answered questions about everything from how redistricting works to the possibility of his presidential or senatorial ambitions.
Sitting in a rocking chair amid a semicircle of children - who settled down after they got used to the lights from two TV news crews - Shuler explained the raucous mixture of legislators, lobbyists, aides and reporters who descend upon Capitol Square starting Jan. 12.
``It's a real zoo, you'll see it when you get there,'' Shuler said.
One student wanted to know how it felt to be a newly elected delegate.
At times he's ``awestruck'' and sometimes thinks he can't accomplish all the things he wants to, Shuler said. On the other hand, he said, it's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience to meet people during and after this fall's campaign and to get acquainted with the mechanics of how the House of Delegates works.
He explained how lobbyists represent special interests. One of his goals will be staying in touch with the people he represents in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery and Giles counties.
``My biggest fear is to get swayed by groups like that and not stay tuned in to the needs of the people of the 12th District,'' he said.
As fourth-graders last year, the students studied Virginia government. This year they're looking at the federal system, so it's logical that one student asked, ``Will you have any meetings with Bill Clinton?''
Probably not, Shuler answered.
Another asked if he ever planned to run for president or senator. The former Blacksburg Town Council member said the House job would be plenty.
``I would like to give eight to 10 years of my life to the 12th District in the General Assembly,'' Shuler said, explaining that it takes a new delegate three or four years to develop enough contacts and relationships with other legislators to become truly effective.
To another questioner, Shuler admitted that he'd always had it in the back of his mind that he might be interested in running for the House. When Del. Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg, announced her retirement, she called to ask if he would consider running, Shuler said.
To stay in touch, Shuler will be faxing updates to the Harding classes on a weekly basis during the 60-day session. The schoolchildren, in turn, will talk up issues among themselves and with their parents, then send responses back to Richmond.
In mid-January, the students will take a field trip to the Peninsula to visit Virginia's earliest capitals: Jamestown and Williamsburg. On the way back they'll stop in Richmond.
On Jan. 14, they'll meet Shuler again. Though the assembly won't be in full swing yet, they'll still have a chance to see the House and Senate chambers firsthand.
``I thought this would be a good way for them to get experience,'' Crockett said. The 65 students come from her homeroom class and from science teacher Mickey McGuigan's class and geography teacher Pat Agnew's pupils.
Shuler said he's considering adopting classes in other parts of the 12th District, but has had to budget his time carefully in the weeks since the election.
But for the Harding fifth-graders, the day was a big hit and they seemed to warm to Shuler's informal manner and folksy speaking style. They clustered around him at the end of class, pressing forward notebooks and scraps of paper for autographs.
``It's neat,'' said Janie Jones, who remembered Shuler stopping by her family's home during the election campaign.
``He's cool, I like him,'' said Matt Price.
The students also presented Shuler with a card with all their signatures and some personal messages: ``Do it for the people! Good luck,'' wrote Jennifer Rogers.
Another entry read: ``Mr. Shuler, I trust you to be a good House of Delegates. Good luck, Rebecca.''
by CNB