(Courtesy photo / Rep. Glenn Thompson)

CLARION, PA., Feb. 18 -Republican Congressman, Glenn Thompson, visited Clarion University on Feb. 17 for a meet-and-greet with students and residents of the area.

At the meet-and-greet, he thanked students for attending; “I couldn’t be here without you. Clarion County is part of my family,” he said. The meet-and-greet is part of Thompson’s tour across the Fifth District of Pennsylvania, which he represents.

Thompson said, “If you’re going to do the job right, you have to know the people you’re working for.”

At the meet-and-greet, Thompson talked about his work regarding Pennsylvania dairy farmers, his opposition to the Interstate 80 toll and his ideas on health care reform.

In addition, there was also a question and answer portion from those who attended, as well as an announcement of his intent to be re-elected into the seat of congressman.

On the subject matter of the dairy farmers, Thompson lamented the distance that has grown between residents and their farming roots.

“The greatest threat to our national security would be dependence on foreign agriculture,” Thompson said.

Thompson is working to take steps to work on measures to assist dairy farmers.  Thompson is also in favor of healthcare changes. While he is opposed to universal healthcare, he does agree that healthcare changes should be made.

He is in favor of decreasing costs, increasing accessibility to American citizens and improving the quality of health care.  He says that universal healthcare works against these goals.
Thompson is working against the idea of tolling Interstate 80.  According to Thompson, such measures would do further harm to the economic situation of the area.

As far as his re-election, he is working to get a Republican majority in Congress, in order to operate as a sort of check and balance to what he views is a government running rampant.
He hopes that a majority will stop deficit spending, saying that government should not leave the next generation a “legacy of debt.”  Thompson says,
“The inflation of the dollar I see on the horizon scares me to no end,” Thompson said.

During the question-and-answer, Thompson responded to the questions posed to him by audience members.

When asked about his views on foreign policy, he said it was his duty to represent the people underneath him, but feels that it is important to keep up to date on foreign goings-on and the possible implications they could have on local government.

He has visited countries such as Israel, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.  His greatest fear on foreign affairs is the threat of the leadership of Iran, and the potential harm it could do to the global community.

When asked about what it was like to work as a Republican in a Democrat-controlled congress, he said that while the majority controls the legislative seat, he has been able to sponsor or co-sponsor a number of bills, including healthcare and small business bills.

As part of his movement to support small business, he wants to get out information for small business, he wants to get out information for small businesses to set up, as well as online workshops.
Alexia Pursley, a senior industry relations and management major at Clarion University, had good things to say about Thompson’s visit.  “It’s necessary for responsible voters to attend these meet-and-greets.  People don’t vote for anything other than president, and frankly, it’s disgusting.  We’re the future,” she said.

As for how the event went, she said she felt things went very well, and it’s good for a congressman to learn who they’re acting for.

Junior, Brentley Oliver, an accounting student at Clarion, also had mostly positive things to say about the meet-and-greet.

“It was kind of disorganized, but I like the idea as a whole,” Oliver said. “It’s always interesting, regardless of what party you’re with.  This kind of thing affects lives.”

The meet-and-greet ended with an opportunity for students to get their pictures taken with Congressman Thompson.