On May 22, 2009, I, along with students and teachers from Freire Charter School, went to Washington D.C. to lobby our federal government on three issues: an assault weapons ban, support for the U.S. Public Service Academy Bill and for the U.S. government to institute a more comprehensive support plan in the northern region of Uganda.  We arrived at Union Station, in Washington D.C., and walked as a group toward the senate buildings.  

We walked past some of the most important buildings in the country. I was in awe viewing the great pillars that support the majestic structure of the lawful building, The Supreme Court. The prominence of the senate buildings left us in astonishment as the busy men and women hurried around us. The atmosphere itself, the people, the buildings, the history of Capitol Hill completely dwarfed me. At that moment I knew this trip would be an experience I would not soon forget. 

I was a student leader and my group lobbied for a ban on assault weapons in the United States. Three weeks in advance we researched statistics and facts on assault weapons that would help us convince congressmen and congresswomen to support a ban on them. We researched how assault weapons increase the crime rate, make gain violence more deadly, and how police officers are being outgunned by criminals.  We learned that politicians such as President Obama and Governor Rendell are also for a ban on assault weapons.

Each member of the group was responsible for one of the four topics I mentioned. We each had to write a page of facts that support our cause, to use as an outline while we spoke with the congress person’s aide. My group met with Rep. Allyson Schwartz’s aide, and an hour and a half later we met with Sen. Arlen Specter’s aide. During our meetings with the aides we presented our information and explained why their boss should support the bill to ban assault weapons. In response the aides explained their congressperson’s opinion on the issue and gave us pointers on how to be better lobbyists. At the conclusion of the meetings we engaged in a question and answer session. The aides answered all of our questions and gave us advice. Lastly, we dropped off letters to our representatives informing them of the issues and thanking the congressmen and women who already sponsored the bill.

The trip was a complete success. We had all of our research and letters together for the meetings. I learned that legislative aides do a lot of work and are a vital part of Capitol Hill, and I also learned that I can lobby anytime I want. I just have to contact my congressmen and congresswomen and let them know my perspective on an issue. I completed all of my goals for the trip: I was prepared; I got my point across to the aides; and I had my voice heard.

I created social change by going to Capitol Hill with an issue I feel strongly about. Together with my classmates in the other groups, we did everything a person can do in this country to make a difference in the government. I did not just do it for the experience. I know that if I played any part in passing the ban on assault weapons then I will have saved at least one life, and that is the greatest social change we all should try to achieve.  

Victor M. Pomales Jr., senior Freire Charter School