Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – 139th District) joined 240 students at the Lyndonville Middle/High School Auditorium on Thursday May 7, 2009 to present a “virtual tour” slide show presentation of the sights around the State Capital. During the presentation he discussed his role as elected official.

“One of my favorite parts about going to Albany is welcoming the many students and school groups that come to visit our state capital to learn about the legislative process. Unfortunately, because of tough economic times, many groups simply cannot afford to make the trip this year. To continue this tradition at no cost to schools, my staff and I came up with the idea of doing a ‘virtual tour’ in the classroom” said the Assemblyman.

The virtual tour included historical monuments, government buildings and other Albany attractions that students would often see on a visit to the state capital. As part of their middle school curriculum, students learn about the foundations of federal and state government which, in years past, culminated with an end-of-the-year field trip to the Capital.

The presentation highlighted the fact that ‘any citizen’ interested in representing their community can run for an elected office. The students at Lyndonville were excited to participate in the interactive presentation and prepared many insightful questions for the Assemblyman.

One question, asked by Rebekah Hoffee of Mrs. Moore’s class, was the cause of great debate and supposition. Rebekah inquired about the number of stairs on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol Building. The Assemblyman estimated there were 120 steps on one side but guaranteed to call back with the correct answer. Later that afternoon, Hawley left a message for the students relaying that there are exactly 111 steps on each side of the four sides’ of the famous Median sandstone staircase.

“It’s always great to be able to talk to students about how state government works and to involve them in the process. It’s important for them to learn that they have a voice in Albany and they are part of the government process. I am pleased I was able to utilize a unique program that brought Albany to Lyndonville today,” Assemblyman Hawley concluded.