Students meet Congressman Fortenberry

Members of the civic class pictured with the Jacob Fritz memorial picture that won first place nationally are, First Row, left to right–Allison Joy, Stephanie Campbell, Alexandra Jordening, Jessica Kelz, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Tim von Behren, and Morgan Hodge; Second Row, left to right–Russ Hurkman, Lucas Auffert, Jesse Weinert, Dan Hagedorn, Derek Maze, and civics teacher Lee Kurpgeweit.

On Thursday, February 19, the civics class of Falls City High School met with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of the 1st Nebraska Congressional District. The class field trip took place at the Falls City Senior Center in a Constituent Forum meeting. Residents of the Falls City community met with the Congressman to discuss issues of importance to the district, country, and the community. They also talked about individual concerns.

The civics students visited with the Congressman for 30 minutes. During this time they engaged the Congressman with issues such as the recently passed economic stimulus bill and the auto bailout plans. They also discussed other economic issues as well as other national issues.

The Congressman also visited with the class about the importance of civic responsibilities of the the individual citizen. He talked about how important it is for each and every citizen of this nation to exercise both rights and responsibilities in this democracy. He encouraged students to exercise their rights and responsibilities from the local level to the national level.

During the meeting, Congressman Fortenberry also congratulated Tim von Behren for winning the national 2008 Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards Scholarship Contest. The FCHS senior drew the picture as a class memorial to Jacob Fritz, the son of Falls City High School biology teacher Noala Fritz, who was killed in Iraq in January 2007. The Congressman became acquainted with the Fritz family when he attended the 2008 West Point graduation of Daniel Fritz, Mrs. Fritz's second son. Congressman Fortenberry asked if he could take the picture to Washington, D.C., to hang in his office for a few months. The Fritz family gave their permission.

The field trip was arranged by Lee Kurpgeweit, Falls City High School civics and government teacher.