“When the Speaker of the House asks you to do something, you do it… So I was the first woman ever to speak as an impeachment manager.”
This week, Zoe Lofgren of the United States House of Representatives met with 9th graders during their Civics Field Studies block. Throughout this three-week Social Impact Immersive course, students have met with a wide variety of local and national leaders in government, business, and community organizations. Representative Lofgren spoke about her own upbringing just miles away, her family and education, and how each of these shaped her passions and work in law and politics. In addition to her work in immigration, Rep. Lofgren is also the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. She spoke to students about how she has found success making legislative progress with members of both parties on issues she cares about, like housing, climate and fusion, internet privacy and accessibility, and now artificial intelligence.
“There are lots of important things, but the thing I’m focused on that’s the most overwhelming challenge is climate change. Now we’re in a place where limiting carbon will not be enough. We need to remove it.”
There are lots of important things, but the thing I’m focused on that’s the most overwhelming challenge is climate change.
Students asked her how she got started, what it was like for her in high school, and even what her experience was like across the four different impeachment committees she has worked on in her career (great question!).
Students then had time to share with her what matters most to them— homelessness, income disparity, reproductive rights, climate, and more were shared around the table. After she left, students reflected with their teachers both on her messages and also on their own participation in the session.
One student exclaimed as she left for lunch, “That was on-point!”