In the News
TribLocal Northbrook by the Chicago Tribune, September 21, 2009
Maple School Welcomes Senator Susan Garrett to Constitution Day Assembly
State Senator Susan Garrett addresses Maple School students on Constitution Day.
"State Senator Susan Garrett believes that our government should be open and available to Illinois residents," said Maple School eighth grader Anya Agrawal, during an introduction of the Senator at Maple School's Constitution Day Assembly, held on September 17.
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.
Senator Garrett discussed her career in Illinois government, which began in 1998 when she won election to the Illinois House of Representatives. After serving two terms she moved to the State Senate and is currently serving her third term as State Senator from the 29th Legislative District. She is chair of the Senate Environment Committee where she works on improving the quality of Illinois' water. Recently, Senator Garrett asked the Illinois Governor and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to form a Clean Water Commission, which would be given the job of analyzing and measuring water sources across the state for traces of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. In addition, she is Vice-Chair of the Commerce Committee, and serves on the Revenue, Education, Public Health Committees and the Joint Committee on Government Reform.
When she is not working in Springfield at the State Capitol on legislative issues, Senator Garrett said that she holds frequent town hall meetings, forums and programs, which gives her an opportunity to listen to what residents have to say about issues that are important to them.
At the assembly's conclusion, Senator Garrett said, "I really enjoy visiting our local schools to speak with and hear from the younger members of my district."
This discussion was followed by a question-and-answer period. Maple's seventh graders will have the opportunity to visit Senator Garrett in her office, when they visit Springfield on November 4 and 5. This annual trip coincides with the seventh graders' social studies curriculum, which focuses on the study of state, local and federal government. Students will tour New Salem Village, Lincoln's Tomb, the Old State Capitol, New State Capitol, Executive Mansion, Illinois State Museum, Lincoln's Home, the Illinois Korean Veteran's Memorial, Illinois Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Illinois World War II Memorial, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.
This assembly was coordinated by Maple's Social Studies Department Chair Barbara Jo Scott, and social studies teachers Mary Norquist, Mario Gurgone and Assistant Principal Arnold Kahn.