U.S. Congressman Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma), right, visited with members of the Sallisaw High School Student Council, National Honor Society, class officers, and officers of various students organizations Tuesday morning.
Linda Copeland • Times
“I serve the people of the second congressional district of Oklahoma. Most of my job is going through letters and e-mails every day from the people I serve,” Boren said.
“Being a congressman is a balancing act because not everybody thinks the same,” Boren told the students.
Boren said he sits on three committees, the House Resources Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Armed Services Committee.
The students also asked questions during the visit.
One student wanted to know the coolest thing Boren had done.
Boren said the coolest part of his job was helping the people in his district.
“The coolest thing I got to do was to ride on Air Force One. I got to phone my wife and friends from the plane,” Boren said.
“President George W. Bush came out and visited with the Oklahoma delegation. He took us into his office on the plane and we talked about an hour. He told us all of these really interesting stories,” Boren said.
Boren said he had been to the Oval Office on numerous occasions.
“I was there when President Bush signed one of my bills, a housing program for Native Americans, into law. That was my second term of office,” Boren said.
Another question was about the health care bill. Boren said there were good things about the bill but also bad things. He voted against the bill, he said.
“Your grandparents probably told you, ‘You don’t get something for free.’ The health bill will raise taxes,” Boren said.
Boren also told the students about his visits to Iraq and Afghanistan where he visited with soldiers from Oklahoma and delivered messages to the parents of those soldiers.
Boren told the students that America was the greatest country in world and he encouraged the students to get involved.
Boren said politicians have to have a thick skin.
“One day you are the hero and the next day you are a zero,” he said.
