Precocious kids liven up congressman's library visit
Rep. Mike Ferguson read to youngsters at Woodbridge Library
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - Kids say the darnedest things.

Congressman Michael Ferguson [R-12] learned that firsthand when he received an earful of questions and random facts from a roomful of kids ranging in age from 4 to 7 during a pit stop at the Woodbridge Public Library on July 20.

"I love kids so much," said Ferguson, who has four young children of his own. "I love to hear and listen to whatever they have on their minds. I have so much fun as a dad as I work with and teach them."

Ferguson read the children's book "House Mouse, Senate Mouse" written by Peter W. and Cheryl Shaw Barnes in 1996, to the 27 children attending the event. The book educates children about how laws are made in the United States. The characters (mice) in the book are working on a law establishing the national cheese. The book also describes researching and drafting a bill, committee hearings and markup, floor action, presidential action, and covers the idea of compromise.

The children learned about the Library of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Ferguson told the children that it was important to come to the library and to read.

"I love to read, and do you know whom I come to the library with?" he asked.

The congressman received an answer that brought laughter among the parents.

"Your mom," answered a boy sitting in the front row.

"I didn't expect that," laughed Ferguson, who explained that he used to go with his mom, but now he takes his children to the library.

As a congressman, Ferguson said he tries to visit schools and colleges once a week during the school year.

"This is so important because many times when I talk to the young people, they are not interested and don't want to be bothered by government," said Ferguson, who is a former high school teacher and adjunct college professor. "But they have to understand that these laws that are made affect all of us and they have an opportunity to participate in them."

Ferguson encouraged the kids to write him a letter if they had any suggestions or ideas.

Ferguson did not have to wait for letters from the kids; they picked his brain

during a question-and-answer session after the reading.

One girl suggested making laws prohibiting smoking everywhere including Atlantic City.

"Why would anyone smoke, since it could lead to lung cancer, and secondhand smoke could also lead to lung cancer," she said. "Smoking is bad for you and me."

The congressman said she was absolutely right.

"That is a very important suggestion," said Ferguson. "There are a lot of bad things about smoking and there are more and more laws [such as the state Smoke-Free Air Act which went into effect in April 2006] that are being made to protect people from smoke."

The discussion led into seat-belt and speeding violations. The children let Ferguson know that they were well aware of the laws Gov. Jon S. Corzine broke in April when the sport utility vehicle he was riding in crashed on the Garden State Parkway near Atlantic City. Corzine was not wearing his seat belt and the state trooper who was driving was speeding.

The children said the ticket that Corzine received was "not like a ticket you get when you go to the movies."

"Yes, and we can learn a valuable lesson," said Ferguson. "The governor was honest and said he made a mistake. It's important to wear your seat belt, sit in your car seat and not speed."

Ferguson spent time giving out his business card and signing autographs before he left, but not before one of the kids re-informed him that George Washington, the first president of the United States, died in 1799.

"Wow, I didn't remember that; thank you," said Ferguson with a smile.