Philly Congressman To Students: Learn From Ariz. Gun Violence

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- How do you explain the weekend violence in Tucson, Ariz. to public-service-minded high school students in Philadelphia?  That was the question Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) had to answer today as he visited a pair of charter schools in the city.

Rep. Fattah often visits local schools on Monday before he heads back to Washington, DC for the week, to encourage students to pursue a college degree.

At Mastery Charter School, in Germantown, the students already get that message.  And, in fact, many are already interested in public service.

So, today, the first question the congressman was asked today came from 10th grader Jessica Sharard.

"I asked how he felt about what happened to the congresswoman in Arizona," Sharard said later.

Fattah (far right in photo) was prepared: that was also the first question from students at a center city charter school earlier in the day.

"She's a great member of Congress," Fattah told the students at Mastery.  "We're very sorry that she's been injured in this tragedy.  But let me tell you something: the symbolism of the strength that this woman has should inspire everyone."

Fattah told students they should work for a world without the kind of violence that cost so many lives in Arizona.

Reported by Pat Loeb, KYW Newsradio 1060.