By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - While home in Michigan, Upton tries to visit a school within the district each week. Monday he made a stop at Brandywine High School to talk to Dave Roeder's government and economics classes.
This summer Brandywine student Caralyn Shelton visited Upton's office in Washington D.C. and took him up on his offer to visit the school once she returned by giving the information to Roeder.
The students came up with questions on a wide range of topics for Upton in their classes and then asked them in a town meeting format.
We will continue to do what we can to help our fellow Americans and it's going to take a lot more time and money to fix the damage in the Gulf region, Upton added.
The next question posed to Upton, was what can be done to help Berrien County economically?
I recently was able to secure $1 million dollars to help with the dredging of the St. Joseph harbor to 23 feet, which will allow ships to bring more of a load in, he said. Currently most ships need the harbor to be at least 20 feet deep and in spots the St. Joseph harbor is only 14 feet deep, which means the ships coming in are only about half full, he added.
The next topic the students questioned was the growing number of homeless in the country.
My vote is hard to get and no one seems to be able to pigeon hole me when it comes to whether I'm a conservative or a moderate, Upton said when asked why he became a Republican and whether he could consider himself a conservative or moderate.
As for my being a Republican, my parents are Republican, when I first got into politics I worked for a Republican, I guess you would say I was probably always a Republican, he said.
Another of the students questions for Upton was whether he thought the United States government should be the one to decide morals for the country?
On the question of drilling for oil in Alaska, Upton was in favor if two things happen.
Finally students asked Upton how he feels about the removal of United States troops from Iraq.
The next big step for the Iraqis is the parliament election which they are holding on Dec. 15. They should be close to being able to govern themselves and it's time for them to lead so our troops can be pulled out, he said.
Upton closed the day by encouraging everyone to become involved in the political process.