Meeting Colgate's Congressman

With the 2014 Midterm Elections gone by us now, I have been reminiscing and pondering different questions related to the subject. Where do I fit into it all? As a twenty-one year old student, does my voice matter? Are my capabilities limited to just the box I check off in a voting booth?

I am brought back to an awesome opportunity I had earlier this semester a few months ago. As a result of different lobbying ventures, beginning in 2013 at my first AIPAC Policy Conference and then at the following year’s conference, fellow Colgate students and I developed a line of communication with legislative staff members from our Colgate U.S. Congressman’s office. What began with email correspondences with Representative Hanna’s Legislative Assistant, soon formed into a relationship that most recently offered myself and two other students the opportunity to have a meeting with the Congressman himself.

Traveling with me were Colgate first-years Abe Benghiat and Ben Ringel, two students who are also very well versed in Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs. Our conversation lasted for over an hour and we covered a multitude of topics, ranging from the Islamic State, Iran’s nuclear program, Gaza reconstruction, and the roles of other regional players such as Turkey and Qatar. Congressman Hanna is very educated on the region, so it was quite the experience for the three of us Colgate students to be able to have a conversation with him as he is directly involved in legislation relating to it. In addition, Abe, Ben, and I have all spent much time in Israel so the Congressman was delighted to hear our thoughts and opinions on the people and land of Israel. Representative Hanna has preliminary plans of making his first trip to country, so there was plenty of time for us to share our favorite Falafel spots and Tel Aviv beaches!

With all this in mind, I am reminded that in this great democracy we have in the United States of America, our ability to share our voice is not limited to the one day in the year that we vote.  Our elected representatives have multiple offices within their respective districts for the purpose of meeting with their constituents. I am truly grateful for the advice and opportunities provided to me by AIPAC and other organizations, which enabled me to have the confidence and knowledge in our meeting with Representative Hanna. Congressman Richard Hanna ran unopposed in this year's Midterms, and we look forward to him continue to represent Colgate students in the future!