NORWICH – Norwich students were given a lesson in the ins and outs of government when U.S. Representative Richard Hanna and New York State Assemblyman Clifford Crouch visited the school on Thursday.

The visit was part of an ongoing effort to encourage juniors and seniors to register to vote and become more involved in their civic duties. In addition to hearing a rundown of responsibilities of elected representatives at the federal, state and local levels, students also had the chance to ask questions about the issues that affect them most, such education reform and the structure of student loans.

The Chenango County Board of Elections was also on campus, providing students an opportunity to register.

As a former businessman fulfilling his third two-year term representing New York’s 22nd Congressional District, Hanna stressed the need for diversity in government rather than leaving government business to career politicians.

“It’s an interesting time to be in Congress because, if you watch the news, there’s so much wrong. There’s so many issues to be considered and the parties are deeply divided. But it’s a great time to be there because there are so many level-headed, solution-driven people there who want to make a difference,” he told students. “There’s nothing necessarily wrong with career politicians, but I think there is a tendency for people to think about the job they have instead of the opportunity they have to help.”