2008 Woodie Awards
Former Congress members give guidance to students
Eirinn Disbrow
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News
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Congressman Edwards, an Oklahoma native, was always fascinated by the American government. As a child he had a strong interest particularly in the American Revolution and hung up posters in his room of Revolutionary heroes like Ethan Allen and Patrick Henry.
He was always extremely passionate about government and held a strong belief that the government should not be used for dictatorship. His interest and involvement in politics stemmed from his own personal beliefs and passion for the subject. Edwards earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and then went on to the Oklahoma City University School of Law to receive his law degree. He served as a special legislative consultant to the Republican Steering Committee in 1973 and was elected to Congress in 1977 where he served for sixteen years.
Congressman Mazzoli's induction into the world of politics was slightly different from Congressman Edwards. Mazzoli described his involvement with politics as more "accidental". As a young man, he was drafted into the army where he served for two years until 1956. He then attended the University of Louisville Law School because his father had always wanted him to be a lawyer.
Mazzoli soon became fascinated by the life of President Kennedy. He explained, "For the first time in my life, I saw a young person who could be a leader." Kennedy inspired Mazzoli to become involved with politics and in 1967 Mazzoli ran a "rag tag" campaign for the Kentucky State Senate and won. Mazzoli explained that "once you get involved with the political world, things start to happen." Soon enough, a seat in the House of Representatives opened that Mazzoli ended up occupying for twelve years.
Mazzoli was responsible for authorizing the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 which basically stated that all employers had to be presented with documentary proof of legal eligibility when hiring immigrants. Mazzoli explains, however, that this bill has not been enforced the way it should have been because of political considerations.
Immigration reform is an issue that he believes many college students should consider. Mazzoli believes that additional resources at America's southern border along with compliance from employers to check the papers of their employees will help to combat the problem of illegal immigration.