Kiffmeyer speaks on civics, faith

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 10, 2003

The bongos were beating, the bass was humming, the guitars were strumming and the secretary of state was dancing.

Wednesday, Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer paid a visit to the youth group at Grace Christian Church in Albert Lea. She shared stories about her faith as well as advice for getting involved in politics.

&uot;Someday I hope that I’ll see some of you be mayors and city councilors,&uot; Kiffmeyer said, addressing the crowd of mostly teenagers as well as the Rev. George Marin &045; a city councilor &045; and Mayor Jean Eaton.

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Kiffmeyer brought a message to get active in government but also to get to know it.

&uot;Our system is designed for you to get involved,&uot; she said.

Encouraging the youngsters to register to vote when eligible and to ask questions about voting, Kiffmeyer said that voting was the most important part of being a citizen.

She encouraged the crowd to read and get to know the United States Constitution in depth.

&uot;It is the core of what drives this country,&uot; she said. &uot;People need to read it.&uot;

Kiffmeyer’s message was also one of faith, something which she tied into political involvement.

&uot;Can you imagine trying to worship without reading the Bible?&uot; she asked the crowd. &uot;Well, it is the same principle with the Constitution. You should read it before you participate.&uot;

She also said that the space between church and state has grown too wide.

&uot;Some people think that because someone is a part of the church, then they shouldn’t be a part of the government,&uot; she said. &uot;But having your voice heard is about being who you are. If a person is a church member, they don’t become a non-church member on Monday. It’s a part of who you are.&uot;