U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal returned to his roots as a high school teacher on Wednesday, April 1 as he stopped by social studies classrooms at Holyoke High School North for a series of spirited discussions on a wide range of topics.
“Debate teaches you to stand on your feet and defend yourself,” Congressman Neal told a group of students who are learning about, and participating in, debates at school. His advice? Make eye contact, make your point, have some idea of what the other side is thinking, choose your words carefully, demonstrate empathy, listen carefully—and prepare in advance.
“Practice in front of the mirror,” Congressman Neal suggested as an effective way to prepare before an upcoming debate. “It will show you when to hesitate, when to plausibly listen, how to use a hand gesture to make a point, not defiantly and not to be overly aggressive. Use that moment to see how it looks to people who are participating and how it sounds.”
As he moved through a series of classrooms, Congressman Neal touched on a variety of topics, weaving between current events—including some that happened that very morning—and turning back the pages to the colonial days that led to the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States of America.
Through all of his presentations, one clear theme emerged: Democracy has been at the cornerstone of U.S. history since its very beginning, and it remains essential today.
“Democracy is supposed to be loud and noisy,” he said. “There’s a lot of clutter to democracy, but I haven’t found a better system anywhere.”
Richard E. Neal was born in Worcester and was raised and educated in the City of Springfield. He is a graduate of American International College, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Hartford.
Mr. Neal began his career as a teacher at Cathedral High School in Springfield, and later served on the Springfield City Council and as mayor of the City of Springfield from 1984 to 1988. Congressman Neal was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1988. He represents the First District of Massachusetts, which includes a large portion of Western Mass.
