Rep. Jason Smith visits classes at Central High School

Students in two advanced placement government courses at Central High School received a real-life civics lesson Tuesday when U.S. Rep. Jason Smith talked about his job.

About 50 students from Marty Vines' AP U.S. government and politics and comparative government and politics classes and Steve Richardet's American government course gathered in the Richard D. Kinder Performance Hall for the occasion. Smith touched on his work experience, his schedule as a representative, his committee assignments and his 30-pound weight loss from working out with a bipartisan group of congressmen.

Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., a former mixed-martial arts fighter, leads the workout group most mornings when Congress is in session, according to Smith's office. "That's a good way to get to know other members," Smith said.

Elected in June, Smith said he's met a number of his colleagues by initiating for one-on-one meetings -- something rarely done these days. "You've got to know who you work with to figure out where you have common ground and similarity on policy," Smith said.

There are times when the House is in session until midnight, and afterward there's still a lot of reading to do and matters to tackle, Smith said. "In my job, we can make a decision to send our country to war," he said.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith speaks to two classes of advanced placement students at Cape Central High School on Tuesday. (Laura Simon)

He asked whether the students knew what the draft was and noted this is something Congress can enact, which makes it important for youngsters to know who represents them. Issues such as this also make it important to cast the vote that best represents his constituents, which is why he holds monthly telephoned town halls where several thousand people can ask questions. He said he's also learned to keep a perspective on vocal minorities.

Smith's 8th District encompasses 30 counties and 750,000 people.

To get things done, especially if one is a member of a minority in Congress, Smith said "you have to not compromise on your principles, but learn to cooperate."

"There's not anyone in our district that I or my staff will not listen to and hear their voice out," said Smith, who serves on five subcommittees and two main bodies -- the House Judiciary and House Committee on Natural Resources.

"Judiciary is one of the most interesting committees in the House," Smith said, addressing everything from immigration and regulation to gun control, Internet taxation and civil rights. "So as you can see, this committee is definitely one that creates a lot of debate and polarization. I enjoy being on it because I have strong opinions."

Smith, a lawyer who still owns his family's cattle farm near Salem, Mo., is a graduate of the University of Missouri and Oklahoma City University School of Law. The 33-year-old was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives at age 25 and served for seven years until he was elected to Congress, replacing Jo Ann Emerson.

Congress is in session for three weeks and breaks for a week so members can return to their home districts. Smith said he also comes home every weekend.

"You're living out of a suitcase, always going all over the place," Smith said, adding he wouldn't be in his home until Thursday. "It's a very intense, busy time when you're just dealing with constituents, but whenever you're in D.C., it's even more intense."

Tessa Valleroy, a junior, enjoyed Smith's visit.

"I thought it was very informative, and [it] enlightened me to a lot more about politics that I didn't understand," Valleroy said. She added he thought it was good to see how Smith stood and what he was doing to represent people.

Recently, Gov. Jay Nixon visited Central, as well. Principal Mike Cowan said he thinks having both politicians on campus was beneficial, and he appreciated Smith and Nixon being so personable and open with the students.

" ... I think it really brings the reality of government closer to home for them," Cowan said. "I think lot of times [we think] it's this big mysterious, magical kingdom in the sky almost, but they are just Missourians. Both of these gentlemen are lifelong Missourians who indeed [have] risen to positions of leadership and influence. I think for them to come back and speak directly to their constituents and our students, it brings it home and it also, I think, gives our children an opportunity to realize that they, too, can do something like that someday."

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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