Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen reads at Montville Township's Woodmont Elementary for Read Across America

“I love to read,” said Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ 11th District) “I used to read under my covers.”

The Congressman concluded Woodmont Elementary School’s Read Across America Celebration by reading to first, second and third grade classes on Friday, March 4, 2016. He told the students that he found it difficult to tear himself away from a good book and his father would often find him awake with a flashlight and reading after bedtime.

When Frelinghuysen arrived at the Pine Brook, NJ, school, he came bearing a gift for the Woodmont Library.

“This book is for your school,” Frelinghuysen said as he finished reading House Mouse, Senate Mouse to the students.

In House Mouse, Senate Mouse, author Peter W. Barnes and illustrator Cheryl S. Barnes have created a picture book world which highlights how laws are made in the United States of America. They do this by describing the legislative process for the mice of the U.S.

Frelinghuysen, who is one of 435 U.S. Representatives elected to Congress, told the children about the fictional “Rodent Republic on Capitol Hill” run by mice. It is the government from the book that mirrors the branches of the U.S. government.

In the story, the mice, down to the last detail, have replicated the law making procedures and buildings of Washington D.C. Miss Tuftmouse, a teacher in “Moussouri,” asks her second grade students to write an “interesting letter” to Congress.

They write: “Dear Congress, We think there should be, if you please, a law to establish a National Cheese.”

The book goes on to illustrate all the steps necessary to transform a proposal to a bill, and a bill to a law. Along the way much debate ensues, but in the end, the “Mousejority Leader” helps to draft a compromise that everyone can live with.

Frelinghuysen told the students that compromise is a big part of his job.

Following Frelinghuysen’s reading, the first, second and third grade students, who had been preparing for the Congressman’s visit, energetically launched a question and answer session.

One student asked: “What is the Republican Party?”

“It is a lot of different things?” Frelinghuysen noted. “There is a lot of variety in both the Republican and Democratic Parties. It is not just one thing.”

“Do you like your job?” asked another.

“It’s the greatest job in the world,” was the Congressman’s answer. “I learn something new every day.”

Another student wanted to know, “Has there ever been a woman President?”

“I think we’re long overdue for a woman president,” Frelinghuysen said, and then added, that it is the voters who make those decisions.

“Have you been to the Whitehouse?”

“If you get invited to the Whitehouse, you go.” the smiling Congressman said.

The questions came fast and furious: “What do you think of Donald Trump?” “Have you met President Obama?” “How big is the Whitehouse?” “Were you in the military?” “Where did you serve?”

For more than thirty minutes Frelinghuysen fielded question after question. Explaining as he went along that he represents 730,000 people in the 11th voting district of the State of New Jersey. He told students that Congress makes decisions about laws that affect all spending and policy in the nation. Before his visit came to an end, students were given many examples of the variety of topics for which Congress is consulted. Roads, military, government, taxes, international initiatives, safety, exploration, health, and anything that affects the nation comes before the Congress.

“We are the lawmakers,” Frelinghuysen said about being a member of Congress. “Land, war, space, peace, fighting cancer, we make laws about all of it.”

Frelinghuysen said that it is his job to work with 434 other Congressmen and Congresswomen to make laws that will help all citizens. He also told students about the Legislative Branch and Congress’ relationship with the Senate.

“People need to make compromises,” he explained. “That is the most important part of my job.”

A final question, “What is your favorite part of being a Congressman?” was asked.

Frelinghuysen looked across the room at Woodmont’s enthusiastic students and said, “My favorite part is exactly what I am doing here.”

Woodmont Elementary School is one of seven Montville Township Public Schools.