U.S. Congressman visits Harold McCormick students
Published 9:16 am Friday, April 19, 2019
First Tennessee District Congressman Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) made a visit to Harold McCormick Elementary School Wednesday to speak with students.
Roe’s first stop at the school was at the library where he read to second graders and shared some of his long history as a congressman. Roe said he was on the veteran’s affairs committee. He then asked some of the kids if they had a parent or grandparent that was in the military, and many of the students’ hands shot up. Roe said he did not find this surprising because a huge percentage of people in the East Tennessee area are currently serving or have served.
There is nothing quite like hearing children recite the pledge of allegiance. When Roe moved off to the school’s cafeteria, this is what he was met with: well-recited pledges from the kindergartners and first graders, each one with a little hand over their heart.
However, Roe was in for a real treat after reaching the school gym in the form of a rousing and somewhat touching rendition of “A Million Dreams” by the school’s Show Choir.
After the musical performance, Roe then gave a speech about Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson. He explained how the area the kids lived in was very different because it was the only one that sent two U.S. Presidents to the White House with Jackson and Johnson. Roe said that Jackson was the only president to pay off the then national debt.
Roe also spoke about how he had visited the war torn country of Afghanistan and helped implement programs there that were successful in increasing the life expectancy of women from 44 years of age to 66.
Finally, Roe received questions from the audience, and in answer to one of why he was famous, he said he did not know he was famous other than for being a congressman.