Speaks with High School Students About Youth Civic Engagement, Cooperation Across Party Lines, School Safety & Meals 

Above: Gottheimer with JSA discussion moderators George Botros, JSA Mid-Atlantic State Governor and Amiri Rivera, JSA Mid-Atlantic State Director of Communications. 

NORTH JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part as the keynote speaker at the New Jersey Junior State of America’s (JSA) 2022 Winter Convention this week, speaking with more than 100 JSA members, answering questions from high school students on how social media affects the political landscape, the work of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and work at the federal level to ensure schools are safe and providing healthy learning environments through school breakfast and lunch. 

When asked what young people should be looking for in a leader, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) said, “You should see if the person is willing to work across the aisle and is going there for the right purposes. The fundamental question is: are they going there to govern and get things done.” 

Gottheimer was introduced by Fifth District resident Amiri Rivera, the JSA Mid-Atlantic State Director of Communications, and George Botros, JSA Mid-Atlantic State Governor. 

JSA was created by and for young people interested in what happens around them — from politics, to how government works, and contributing to their community. Since its founding in 1934, JSA has served as a place where students build leadership skills, learn civil debate, and strengthen their engagement through volunteering and activism. More than 500,000 students have graduated high school as members of the JSA. The purpose of JSA is to help high school students acquire leadership skills and the knowledge necessary to be effective debaters and civic participants. 

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