Today was our final day with HACU and it was the day I was
looking forward too the most. Actually going to Capitol Hill has been one of
dreams and my dream became a reality. We had three meetings today our first was
with Senator Flake. Our meeting was in his meeting room and which was a
surprise. The highlight of the meeting was when I asked a question about
student loan debt. While my colleagues were talking about their agenda I was
trying to figure out how I was going to ask my question properly. At the end
when it was my time I just talked and let the question go. My question that I
asked Elizabeth Jones who is Senator Flakes Legislative Correspondent had to do
about consoling students prior to taking out a loan one-on-one with an advisor.
I asked Ms. Jones if the Senator would put his name on a bill that would
require schools to require this kind of consoling and she was lost for words.
Our second meeting was with Congressman Grijalva who is my
congressman. We met with his Senior Legislative Assistant Norma Salazar-Ibarra
and the meeting went great. Our meeting was outside of the office, which was
not surprising. The highlight of the meeting was when he came into his office
and took the time to talk to us in his office. It meant a lot that he took the
time because he had another meeting waiting but he said, “They can wait.” It
was a great feeling knowing that my congressman cares about us and is fighting
for more legislation that is for education in general.
Our last meeting was with Congresswoman Martha McSally. Her
Deputy Chief of Staff Kristen Douglas was the one who we spoke to but her and
other assistant actually took us to the congresswoman to meet her. It was not
expected and made the day, which was already a good one to a memorable day.
Congresswoman McSally was not shy to none of us and was very happy to see us.
Her and her assistants treated us great. It meant a lot that they all took the
time to treat us with such respect and as a priority.
