Congressman Patrick McHenry on Monday launched Congress’ first-ever Virtual Townhall, which netted participants representing all ten counties in North Carolina’s Tenth District. The Virtual Townhall uses cutting edge technology to provide an online forum for direct communication between Western North Carolina’s citizens and their member of Congress. Please click here to view Monday’s Virtual Townhall in its entirety.

“Any time you push the envelope by using new technology there’s a question about how successful and effective it will turn out,” said Congressman McHenry. “My questions were answered during our inaugural Virtual Townhall by strong and enthusiastic participation from across the Tenth District.”

Monday’s Virtual Townhall was an undertaking never before attempted by a member of Congress. It began at 7:30 p.m. with the Congressman giving a legislative update followed a quick summation of the day’s leading news, and then he opened the field for participants’ questions. Topics included stopping illegal immigration, improving Americans’ health care options, combating rising gas prices, and improving the partisan climate in Washington, D.C. All residents of the Tenth District who wished to log in to the event were free to do so through Congressman McHenry’s website at http://mchenry.house.gov.

“While Virtual Townhalls are a unique and exciting way to reach out to people back home while I’m in Washington, I prefer traveling across the Tenth District and holding my annual townhalls,” added McHenry. “I encourage everyone to come out this August and meet with me in person so we can discuss the issues that are most important to Western North Carolina.”