Congressman John Peterson addresses area high school students during his annual Government Outreach program at Lock Haven University on Oct. 9, 2008.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University played host to over 250 area high school students who attended Congressman John E. Peterson’s Government Outreach 2008. The event, held in the Price Performance Center on Thursday, October 9, included participants from high schools in the 5th Congressional district. Participating high schools were Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Central Mountain, Cowanesque, Elkland, Indian Valley, Jersey Shore, Montgomery and Montoursville.

The purpose of Congressman Peterson’s Government Outreach is “to give students insight into the role of government in their daily lives and to provide them an opportunity to become familiar with the operations of government by interacting with individuals who make the decisions, influence the decisions, and report those decisions.”

The day’s activities included a panel on energy issues and a forum with Congressman Peterson on current issues before the U.S. Congress. The featured speaker was Robb Armstrong, whose syndicated comic strip “Jump Start” runs in more than 450 newspapers in 8 countries. Armstrong is a popular public speaker, and has been recognized for his community outreach by the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Department of Justice. Students also heard about “The Lock Haven Experience” and enjoyed lunch on campus.

Marchal Rote, LHU facilities coordinator, said “We at LHU have been truly honored to have been asked to host Congressman Peterson’s Government Outreach every year since 1997. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to not only hear about the latest topics in Washington and how they affect us in Central Pennsylvania, but we can showcase our wonderful campus. The high school participants are able to hear about the LHU experience from our admissions personnel and have their lunch with the LHU students.”

Peterson was elected in 1996 to serve Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has served as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee. In 1998 he was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee where he is currently a member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; the Subcommittee on the Interior and the Environment; and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security. He also serves as Co-chair of the Congressional Rural Caucus. Peterson will retire from Congress at the end of this session.

Speaking of his Government Outreach program, Peterson said, “It is my privilege to provide the future leaders of Pennsylvania with this outstanding opportunity to exchange ideas and meet with the leaders in government today. Rote commented, “We hope that whoever replaces the congressman will consider continuing this great program here at LHU.”