House
Republican Press Release
April 22,
2008
Press
Office: 860-240-8700
Students
Tour Capitol; Are Greeted by House Speaker Amann, Majority Leader Donovan
State
Representative Selim Noujaim today hosted four 5th Grade classes
from the M. M. Generali Elementary School in Waterbury’s East End, who toured
the State Capitol and the Legislative Office Building and were greeted by
Speaker of the House James A. Amann, D-Milford, and House Majority Leader
Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden.
“I
am always pleased to expose the youth of our community to the work that we do
here at the State Capitol,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury, who hosted
a similar visit in March from the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School. “Our
children are the future of our society and we have an obligation to enhance
their educational opportunities. It’s my hope that their visit to the State
Capitol today made them more aware of how our democracy works and will help
them become successful adults who play active roles in the life of their
community.”
“The
students’ experiences at the State Capitol today will make what they learn
about state government in the classroom more real,” said teacher Thomas Haines,
who teaches one of the 5th grade classes who visited the capitol.
“We
haven’t been to the capitol for a few years because of the increasing cost of
transporting the children on school trips,” said teacher Chris Barrett, a
32-year veteran of the Waterbury school system. “The kids loved coming here
today and enjoyed the beauty of these buildings. It was a wonderful experience
for the children.”
“I
haven’t been [to the State Capitol] since I was in the 5th grade 35
years ago and I wanted to see how it has changed. It’s a really beautiful
building,” said parent Sean Nolan, whose daughter urged him to accompany the
students as a chaperone.
“It’s
a great opportunity for the students to go outside the classroom, visit the state
capitol, learn how government works and who’s working for them and what [state
legislators] do,” teacher Timothy Coughlin said.
Also
accompanying the 93 students on their capitol tour was teacher Sue Normandin.
