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Photo by Jim Craven Sen. Gordon Smith, right, passes the microphone to Sen. Ron Wyden before a packed house at Crater High School Thursday. Students examine senators' ideas Wyden, Smith vow to help in education By VICKI GUARINO CENTRAL POINT -- More than 1,000 students from across Jackson County greeted Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith Thursday with questions about tax relief, Middle East conflicts and, of course, the historic impeachment votes. And they heard both Wyden, a Democrat, and Smith, a Republican, vow more support and more funding for public education. "I hope we are adequately funding education," Smith told the crowd packed into Crater High School's gym. "I know we can do better." The senators' appearance is part of a town hall-style tour of Oregon, and the only stop at a high school. Smith and Wyden are appearing together today in Salem, and have already visited voters in Astoria, Portland and Pendleton. For Crater, the visit initially was going to be a brief stop by Wyden alone, organized by Crater social studies teacher and student government adviser Bud Lefever. When Wyden's office suggested double billing and a wider audience, Lefever gladly obliged. "I said, `Fine, you just name the day and time."' Students from Ashland, Phoenix, Eagle Point, South Medford, Butte Falls and Cascade Christian high schools joined Central Point middle and high school students in the bleachers. "It's a great experience," said Crater sophomore Kim Sugden, one of the student government representatives who gathered students' questions and relayed them to Wyden and Smith, who stood at center court throughout the hourlong session. Sugden said she came away feeling the lawmakers were paying attention to students, and students, in turn, were getting a chance to really participate in the workings of government. Classmate Steve Champlain was likewise impressed. The session, he said, "helped the students work out that the politicians actually are helping kids, helping schools." To help public education directly, Wyden promised to continue pushing for increased federal funds -- with few strings attached so that communities can decide how best to use the money. And he scolded Oregon state leadership for letting school funding become mired in partisan politics. He said Oregon has been a national leader in welfare reform, and now must become a leader in education. "This education situation is a threat to the kind of quality of life we want here in Oregon," Wyden said. "Oregon has dawdled enough on this issue." When asked their wish for a piece of dream legislation, however, both senators chose nonschool issues. Wyden said if given one such wish, he would guarantee adequate health care for all children. Some 30 million children risk going without today, he said. Smith said he would see to the care of the elderly, with guarantees of health care and welfare. Although both made much of their efforts to work together despite differences of party and politics, distinctions endured. Beyond their opposing votes on impeachment of President Clinton last week -- Smith for impeachment, Wyden against -- the two also disagree on tax cuts. Smith said cuts are needed to pressure government to operate more efficiently. Wyden said a projected budget surplus is needed to fund Social Security programs and pay down the national debt. Both cautioned students on the significance of continuing conflict in the Middle East, pledging U.S. support for Israel and the ongoing Palestinian negotiations. And they reminded students about their responsibility to themselves, their families and communities. Ultimately, Wyden said, "The only thing government can do is make sure you have choices, options." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA