In the News

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's not every day a western Massachusetts high school class hears directly from their congressman about the workings of government.

Congressman Richard Neal of Springfield spent an hour speaking to social studies students at Westfield High School. He had spoken earlier to other Westfield students at St. Mary's High School.

The Congressman later told 22News, he goes into classrooms in his district whenever possible.

"Part of our constant challenge and obligation is to acquaint them with the complexities of public life," said Neal. "But not to forget our constitutional system of representation in a democracy really means."

"It was really interesting to hear someone who actually is there for debates, talk what it's like because when you read about what they're talking about, it's very different than hearing someone actually being there, Amanda Hudson a Westfield High School sophomore told 22News.

Congressman Neal is no stranger to discussing government in a classroom. He's been an instructor at Umass in Amherst for 20 years.

Prior to that, he taught a government course at the former Cathedral High School in Springfield.