House Majority Whip McCarthy speaks of the value of education and our students, and takes a bet on the 49ers winning the Super Bowl

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill.

 "One of my best friends that I’ve known since childhood is Marshall Dillard. Many may remember him as a star athlete at Bakersfield High School who went on to play football at Stanford. He probably would say I was the friend who would ask him to get autographs for me when he would meet other star athletes. He has always been a role model and he continues to inspire our local students at Munsey Elementary School.

  "I visited Munsey this week to honor students for their academic achievement, and I was impressed with the eager minds of the students and the energy of the parents that were there. Our children are our most valuable asset and I know that a quality education is certainly the most important tool for them to be able to achieve their highest goals. I could not have been more honored to share the stage with my good friend and his students.

 "And as a former Bakersfield College student, I was also proud to meet and honor our state champion Renegade football team on Wednesday as well. To stand on the field of Memorial Stadium with the players and the coaching staff was a great experience.
 "As I look around our community, I am reminded of how much we have to be proud of. But I continue to have major concerns as I travel around the Central Valley and continue to hear the concerns from our local small business owners and families. Burdens from regulations and litigation remain. I will continue to fight to rein in onerous regulatory agencies that can literally tie up economic growth. For our local families to thrive, we must fight for a strong and vibrant economic climate.

 "Finally, I'm sure many will be watching the Super Bowl this weekend (or at least the commercials). It’s always exciting to see a California team go to the Super Bowl. My friend Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, who is a huge Ravens fan, challenged me to a friendly bet. I told him I would personally send him a box of Dewar’s chews if the Ravens managed to win the Super Bowl this Sunday.  On the flip side, when the 49ers win, Congressman Harris agreed to send me Maryland’s finest crab cakes.

 "Hopefully, we will celebrate a 49ers win this weekend after the Super Bowl, but I am proud to celebrate our local champions here at home.