U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi chatted with students in the Genoa Middle School library.
Eighth grade students at Genoa Middle School got to spend their lunch break on January 20 with a very special visitor – U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi, who represents Ohio’s 12th District. He talked about how he became a Representative; about the legislative process; and about how students can get involved in the political process now. The timing was perfect since these pupils have recently been learning about the Constitution as a living document and the role in plays our daily lives.
Representative Tiberi got his start as the son of Italian immigrants and the oldest of three children. His working class parents found a home in the Northland area of Columbus, he said, started a family, and made certain to instill in their children the value of a good education. Tiberi and his sisters attended the Columbus Public Schools’ Northland High School where he became the first in his family to graduate from high school. Next, he enrolled in The Ohio State University, where he played the trumpet in The Ohio State University Marching Band. In addition to his studies and band commitments, Tiberi worked at various jobs around town to earn the money to pay for his tuition. He graduated with a degree in Journalism, but instead found himself serving his future constituents as an aide to then-Congressman John Kasich. He later decided to expand his opportunities to serve the community through election to public office and was chosen to serve in the Ohio Legislature where he eventually rose to the position of majority leader.
Congressman Tiberi was first elected to serve the people of Ohio’s 12th Congressional District (comprised of Delaware, Licking, and Morrow Counties and portions of Franklin, Marion, Muskingum, and Richland Counties) in November 2000. Since entering the U.S. House, he has worked to further policies seeking a smaller, less intrusive government, lower taxes, greater national security and a growing and expanding economy that creates jobs.
Congressman Tiberi’s position on the House Committee on Ways and Means allows him opportunities to influence issues that affect us all like: taxes, Social Security, Medicare, trade and health care. Pat serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health and is a member of the Tax Policy Subcommittee. He previously served as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade and helped usher the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill through the House to ensure accountability and transparency in future trade agreements. He is also the vice-chairman of the Joint Economic Committee.
The experience of meeting Congressman Tiberi up close and personal was an opportunity that will not soon be forgotten by the students at Genoa Middle School.