Rep. DeSaulnier and Chair of the Congressional America250 Commission visit Valley View MS

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) visited Valley View MS on Sept. 24 as part of his "2025 Educational Listening Tour" to meet with educators and students. He was accompanied by Rosie Rios, Chair of the America250 Congressional Commission and a former US Treasurer, who shared information and a video about an America's Field Trip contest to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which will be celebrated next year. Rios also passed out newly minted quarters picturing Disability Rights Activist Stacey Park Milbern to students, as part of the American Women in Quarters program. In addition, she presented two students with dollar bills that were signed by her when she was the 43rd Treasurer of the U.S. Student Apollo Milan said he was excited to receive one of the dollar bills. "I feel blessed," he said.

Principal Jamie Keith and Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark escorted the pair as they greeted students Hayes Robinson and Jaxon Northrop in the corridor, then toured the wood shop class, then spoke to students in Angela LaTorre's English/History CORE class, and ended their visit with Leadership students in the school library. Rios said the "Semiquincentennial" 250-year U.S. Celebration includes a field trip contest that will begin this year on Oct. 15th inviting students to submit artwork or essays about what America means to them, with 250 winners. Last year, 14 students from California won "backstage" field trips to sites including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Federal Reserve, the Kennedy Space Center, National Parks and more. 

Rep. DeSaulnier said he loves to meet with students to hear what interests them. He explained the process for passing new laws and said the 435 members of the House of Representatives represent the more than 330 million people in the U.S. "This country is amazing," he said. "It has lots of challenges and shortcomings, but we try to make it a more perfect union."

When meeting with Leadership students, Rep. DeSaulnier invited them to ask questions or speak up about their concerns. In response to a question about e-bikes, he said the government needs to consider safety as it regulates this new technology. One boy asked about the most famous people DeSaulnier has met. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter topped DeSaulnier's list, along with Civil Rights Activist and former U.S. Rep. John Lewis. A girl said she would like to see Softball become a professional sport and a boy asked if DeSaulnier flies in a private plane to Washington DC. DeSaulnier said he flies Coach class on regular airplanes when he commutes across the country. Students also expressed concerns about rising prices and cell phone bans in schools. DeSaulnier explained that prices fluctuate based on the economy and said cell phone bans were prompted by studies showing adverse affects of cell phone use on students.

Information about the America's Field Trip contest will be posted here on Oct. 15th.