1. How and/or when did you
get you hooked on history?
When I was 8 years old, my
parents allowed me to stay up past 1 a.m. to see the results of the 1952
election when Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected U.S. president. Looking back,
that moment sparked an interest in government, and politics, and history.
2. What role does history
play or has it played in your personal life?
I have always admired the
great leaders that came before me, and believe we can all learn from their
wisdom as well as their mistakes. My upbringing and my personal history are the
foundation of my success. I was taught important lessons of integrity and
honesty early on, and I never forget that.
3. How is/How was history a
part of your professional life/career?
History is something I rely
on every day. Working in the United States Senate, we must look back at the
history of our nation, our founding fathers, and the principles this nation was
founded on to know which direction to take the country. I believe our nation’s
first president, George Washington, was this nation’s greatest political leader.
4. Why is studying/knowing
history important?
It is important to learn
about our past and about those who came before us in order to see how their
actions and decisions affected the course of history. History gives us the
unique opportunity to learn lessons from the past, determine what actions led
to certain outcomes, and then use this information to shape our future.
5. What is your favorite
period or aspect of history to learn about and why?
The Revolutionary War period
of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson is my favorite period of history because
that is when the ideas of great men developed into the foundation of our
country. Those ideas shaped the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution, documents that are still the envy of the free world.
6. How can today’s students
benefit from studying history?
Every time I meet with a
group of young people I encourage them to read everything they can get their
hands on, stay up to speed on current events, seek out the places around the
world they find of interest. Most importantly, I always tell them to never
forget their roots. Learning about the past teaches our young people
about the decisions that were made, as well as the benefits and consequences
that may arise from the actions they take. It also gives them a sense of
their own past, which makes up so much of who we are.
7. What should Americans
know about history and why?
Americans should remember
that history gives us a sense of identity by learning who we are through where
we came from.
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