| The Third
Congressional District's elected Representative,
incumbent Dick Gephardt, is retiring, thereby
opening up his position for the first time
in 28 years. It is very likely that the next
person holding this position of congressperson
in the House of Representatives for Missouri
will be there for another twenty to thirty
years. Incumbents have a remarkable ability
to maintain their positions against political
challengers. Therefore, the primary on August
3rd and the Election on November 2nd are critical
to local citizens.
On Saturday, July 17th, the International
Institute of St. Louis and the League of
Women Voters co-sponsored a Third District
Congressional Forum for new American citizens.
About 160 people came to hear the candidates.
The new citizens included a wide range of
language groups, such as: Arabic, Amharic,
Bosnian, Chinese, Farsi, French, Lao, Somali,
Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese. Interpreters
were available for language groups needing
English assistance. Nine of the ten Democratic
candidates and both Republican candidates
attended. The Libertarian, who is running
unopposed in the primary, did not attend.
The Democratic candidates were: Jeff Smith,
Steve Stoll, Mark Smith, Michael Bram, Mariano
Favazza, Corey Mohn, Joan Barry, Russ Carnahan,
and Mike Evans. The Republican candidates
were: Joan McGivney and Bill Federer.
The League of Women Voters, represented
by Nancy Bauser, Joan Esserman, and Judith
Smart, set the ground rules and moderated
the bipartisan Forum. Anna Crosslin, president
of the International Institute opened the
Forum, welcoming the candidates and the
audience. After the eleven candidates introduced
themselves a question and answer period
ensued. Due to the number of candidates
responding, only a few questions could be
asked. The most concern was expressed about
education, specifically English as a Second
Language support, family reunification,
immigration quotas, and the Patriot Act.
After the August 3rd primary, another Third
District Forum for new citizens is planned
for September 11th where the winners of
the primary will be contending for the House
of Representative's seat. The Forum will
be from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the International
Institute of St. Louis, 3654 S. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis, MO 63118. Interpreters will be
available.
關心政治和投票的群眾
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