CONGRESSMAN Alan Lowenthal provides feedback to civics students from Garden Grove High School about how to improve legislation students drafted as part of a bill-writing competition (GGUSD photo).

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach/Garden Grove) visited Garden Grove High School and Pacifica High School this week to provide students with insight about bill-writing, the legislative process, and public service.

“We are grateful that the Congressman took time to visit our students and provide them first-hand knowledge about government that cannot be found in a text book” said Board of Education member Dina Nguyen.  “The [Garden Grove Unified School District] has a robust civics education program and our students are always eager to learn more about the inner workings of Washington.”

During his visit to Garden Grove High School on May 10, Lowenthal met with civics students who had submitted legislative proposals to his office as part of a bill-writing competition.  Students submitted proposed bills about driver’s education, smoking in public places, and creating a program for law enforcement officers dedicated to fighting homelessness.  During the visit, he provided feedback about the need to provide a funding mechanism for proposed legislation and the widespread opposition to unfunded mandates.

Pacifica High School held a senior assembly on May 11 during which Lowenthal discussed the details about serving in Congress as well as current policies being debated in Washington.  The visit comes after students wrote letters to Lowenthal him their opinions about pending legislation.  Pacifica High School recently earned the state’s top award for civic education and was named a California Democracy School.