November 20, 2023

Rep. Sykes Visits Jackson Memorial Middle School, Meets With The Little Congress

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, OH — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) visited Jackson Memorial Middle School in Jackson Township. During the visit, Rep. Sykes participated in the school’s Little Congress, and spoke with students about the importance of being civically engaged at all ages.

“I had the privilege of meeting with students of the Little Congress at Jackson Memorial Middle School and discussing the importance of education and civic engagement,” said Rep. Sykes. “I was inspired by their enthusiasm and dedication to improving their school and making a difference in their community. I can’t wait to see what their futures hold and as their Congresswoman, I look forward to supporting their success every step of the way.”

Little Congress is a student council in which sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at Jackson Memorial Middle School suggest ideas for improving the school, draft mock legislation, and then debate and vote on their passage. The “General Assembly” meets monthly and has debated and voted on three bills this year.

In Congress, Rep. Sykes has championed policies to ensure every child in Northeast Ohio has access to quality education, including as a co-lead of H.R. 2992, the EDUCATORS for America Act, which invests in states and educators to improve the educator pipeline and create more career-ready teachers and school support staff. The EDUCATORS for America Act will strengthen the educator pipeline to ensure all students and educators in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District have the resources and the tools they need to succeed academically and professionally. Additionally, Rep. Sykes is a cosponsor of H.R. 882, the American Teacher Act, which would increase the minimum salary of public elementary and secondary school teachers to $60,000, to be adjusted annually for inflation.