Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) won her first race for Congress as an enormously popular symbol of courage. Her first term is up and now she faces the challenges of Republican Greg Becker (R-Lynbrook) who is banking on the fact that the fourth congressional district is a predominantly Republican District. The question is; Can McCarthy maintain an appeal that crosses beyond party lines and win her second term in office?

"I consider myself independent. I don't always vote along party lines. Being independent is not a bad thing," said McCarthy, "I look at the issues and how they will affect Long Island. My first obligation is to the people of Long Island and New York."

McCarthy said that Long Island is viewed by the country as affluent, but as a resident herself she knows that Long Islanders, particularly those in her district, pay some of the highest property taxes as well as some of the highest prices for food and gasoline.

She keeps this in mind when she is making her decisions. For instance, her recent participation in the elimination of 48 extra planes from taking off and landing at JFK Airport, something she is familiar with due to her Mineola roots.

"You can have all the windows closed and you can still hear the noise," said McCarthy from first hand experience.

As the last two years have taught her a great deal about serving, she has come to value the process of learning and wants to make it her priority if she is re-elected this November.

"Education should be our number one issue," said McCarthy who plans to stay on the Education Committee should she be re-elected.

Already acting on her educational goals, McCarthy lobbied for better preparation of teachers, including finances to implement said program, and her provision was included in the Higher Education Act that President Bill Clinton signed into law.

Along with the Higher Education Act, McCarthy would like to use measures such as availability of Pell Grants and Hope Scholarships as well as student loan assistance to encourage an increase in the number of teachers. She suggested perhaps teacher's aides could be assisted in returning to school to study to become full fledged teachers.

She would also like to see the schools staying open to give students an option to attend afterschool and summer programs, something she thinks would further curb the violence.

And of the actual school buildings themselves, some which lie in the boundaries of her district's schools were constructed before WWII, McCarthy recognizes a need to improve those buildings.

Another issue brings together two of her platforms. Well aware of the dangers of gun violence, McCarthy wants to address violence in schools through the proper implementation of disciplinary measures. She said, "I do not want to see metal detectors in our schools."

McCarthy is a well known gun control advocate, ever since the tragic shooting of her son Kevin who was severely injured and her husband Dennis who was killed on the LIRR.

It was a moment that made headlines around the world and it is a moment that made her famous, something opponent Greg Becker interprets as McCarthy being a "media star."

McCarthy said of the use of the expression, "I think it is mean-spirited. It is not something I chose." She went on to say that she would give everything back to change what happened in December of 1993.

Through numerous salvos of the "media star" label, McCarthy has opted to "go forward."

"If that means it brings my message out to the national level then so be it," she said in a reluctant acceptance of the term.

McCarthy hopes that the voters will provide her with the opportunity to keep making those calls on behalf of Long Island, her home, when election day rolls around this November.