Local students query Hudson: Were you the smartest in class?

CONCORD — Several students at R. BrownMcAllister Elementary School had the same question for U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson as he visited their school on Tuesday. They wanted to know why people had to be 18 years old to vote.

“That’s a good question,” Hudson said. “No one has ever asked me that before. I’ll go to Washington and ask.”

At least three students asked about that issue while Hudson was visiting. He told the students that, even though he was not around when that law was made, he guessed it had to do with reaching a mature age.

As he addressed the third-, fourth- and fifthgraders, Hudson began by telling them that he works for them and is five months into his job. He also said that he goes to Washington, D.C. almost every day to vote and invited them to visit the nation’s capital for a tour.

Hudson said later thatthe main message he wanted the students to hear was to work hard and take care of each other.

“A lot of life is about relationships.… I spend a lot of time trying to get to know the people I work with, like you do here,” Hudson said to the students.

Before taking questions, he also reminded the students that the people give power to the government, but it only works if people participate by voting.

In addition to asking Hudson about the voting age, the students asked how many hours a day he works, if he was the smartest person in his class and what it was like to be the student body president at UNCC.

Hudson told them about going to Washington to vote and the breakfasts, meetings and dinners he attends several times a week.

“Some days, I don’t get to eat lunch, so I stay very busy,” Hudson said.

He also said he was probably not the smartest person in his class but was involved in the gifted and talented program.

“What I’ve found in my life is being smart is important, but working hard is even more important,” Hudson said.

About being student body president, Hudson said he liked representing other people and helping to make decisions to improve other people’s lives. Hudson told the students he also worked for former U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes and felt like he was making a difference. He said he decided to run for the seat because of his concern for the future.

“We’re spending money today you’re going to have to pay back. ... That worries me a lot,” Hudson said. “I decided maybe I should step up.”

He told the students that the best part of his job was meeting people, and the disadvantages are traveling to and from Washington and the time he spends away from his family.

“I’m willing to take this time away from my family because I want to serve you,” Hudson said.

After he addressed the students, Hudson spoke briefly with some teachers about their concerns and had lunch in the cafeteria with fifth-grader Gracie Lozier, whose mother works in his office.

Lozier and fellow fifthgrader Thelen Rett said they will remember Hudson’s advice to do their best and listen to their teachers.

“I like how he takes time out of his family time and puts it toward making it a better place for us to live,” Rett said.

She said it inspired her even more to be a politician someday. Fifth-grader Addison Cooper said he did not want to be a politician but he liked Hudson’s message about working hard and not giving up.

Susanne Schafer, McAllister’s teacher librarian, said she wantedHudson to come to the school so the students could meet their representative and know there are listening ears out there.

“(Thestudents)shouldn’t be afraid to talk to their representatives,” Schafer said.

Hudson said the students atMcAllister had the best questions and even stumped him a few times.

“It’s always fun to interact with the kids. ... There are very bright students here, which tells me they’ve got great teachers,” Hudson said.

By: Reporter Jessica Groover Pacek