Congressman Lazio returns to alma mater

Rachel Wolff Senior Editor

Vassar College’s only federal politician made a speaking appearance on campus Wednesday, April 6. Republican Congressman Rick Lazio ’80, a representative of New York, served an eight-year congressional tenure, beginning in 1993 and terminating in 2001, when he lost to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for United States Senator for New York. The lecture was sponsored by the Moderate Independent Conservative Alliance (MICA). Lazio received his B.A. from Vassar College and majored in Political Science.

Approximately 60 students, faculty, administrators, staff, and community members attended the event. Lazio’s talk focused on partisanship, Social Security, and voter apathy. “People don’t vote enough, especially young people,” he said. “People aren’t paying enough attention. You can’t possibly know what Iraqi policy should be if you’re not reading the newspaper everyday or the internet, or watching televsion.” Lazio also noted that, once elected, “citizens don’t hold leaders accountable enough. We needs to be more demanding consumers, more educated voters.”

After e-mail and phone call exchanges with MICA Secretary Cara Grieco ’08, who is also a New York State resident, Lazio agreed to return to his alma mater for this special event. When he was a student, he lived in Cushing, was a member of Student Senate, and wrote regularly for The Miscellany News. Lazio also chaired the Student Advisory Committee, which he noted as his most memorable involvement at the College. “Being in a room with people of authority and often being in the position to challenge that authority, ultimately coming to a consensus, was very useful in the work of my later life,” he said.

When asked about the event, MICA President Harrison Kell ’05 said he was excited and nervous. “We’ve obviously concerned about turnout,” said Kell. “But on the other hand, we’re pretty excited. He’s a fairly big name.”

After graduation from Vassar, Lazio went on to receive his J.D. from American University in 1983. After passing his bar exams in 1984, Lazio began his practice of law in New York. Originally from Suffolk County, he returned there and served as Suffolk County Executive Assistant District Attorney before being elected to the Suffolk County Legislature, serving from 1989 through 1992. In 1993, Lazio was elected to Congress after an upset victory over the Democratic incumbent of his district. While serving his last and fourth term in Congress, Lazio was Assistant Majority Leader and Deputy Major Whip as well as sitting as chair of the House Banking Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Currently, Lazio serves as the Vice President of J.P. Morgan Chase, CEO and President of Financial Services Forum, and sits on the Board of the Audobon Society.

Looking forward, Kell noted that MICA expects to bring more speakers and host more events. MICA also hopes that the event will increase their budget from the Vassar Student Association, an avenue they have, so far, not actively pursued. Kell said that they haven’t sought a larger budget because “they haven’t really needed one,” but noted that “the fact that we’re able to bring [Lazio] here and that we’re exhibiting growth” should increase the group’s presence on campus as well as their ability to receive funding.