Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C,I-East Aurora) visited the Hamburg Middle School this week to speak to students about his job at the Assembly and to explain legislative procedure such as how a bill becomes a law. He also engaged in a lively debate with some eighth graders working with Mr. Steinagle about the pros and cons of Mitchell's Law (A06737), a bill that elevates the killing of a police service animal to a higher felony. Mitchell’s Law also adds intentionally injuring one of these animals as a felony crime. While a co-sponsor of the bill, DiPietro played the devil’s advocate and had the students debate in favor of the law, which they did superbly.

“I was greatly impressed by the passion of the students at Hamburg Middle school,” DiPietro said. “Both their interest in my work at the Assembly and their passionate defense of Mitchell’s Law are a credit to both the school and New York State. The way they fiercely debated in favor of protecting our police service dogs was very moving. Having such young minds engaged in the political process is exactly what we need to encourage in schools. Encouraging open debate and discussion of ideas is conducive to a healthy worldview, and I’m excited to see that going on in our local schools.”