Student concerns will be voiced and addressed Tuesday morning when former Vice President Al Gore and 4th District congressional candidate John Norris visit campus.

Gore and Norris will lead a student rally at 10 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

Norris said Gore’s appearance will help encourage student participation in the political process, including being informed on issues and voting.

“I am honored Vice President Gore is joining me at Iowa State to energize students and encourage them to get involved in the political process,” Norris told the Daily via e-mail. “With just three weeks remaining [until the election], students have the ability to play a huge role in determining who will be their representatives in government.”

Student input is essential in maintaining quality of life in Iowa, Norris said.

“The issues young people care about are important to the future of Iowa,” he said. “From protecting our environment to creating high- quality, good paying jobs to paying for college, students have very real concerns and that is why I have made a concerted effort to involve as many young people in this campaign as possible.

“I am pleased so many [students] from the Iowa State community have taken an active interest in this year’s election and I hope more will do so in the closing days,” Norris said.

Jano Cabrera, communication director for Gore, said Gore will stress the responsibility students have to make their voices heard and why they should support Norris.

“Students are the lifeblood of politics,” he said. “Many of the political ideas that are debated and discussed at the national level come from the debate at the college level, where students and professors have a frank exchange of ideas.”

Though many students take voting seriously, there is room for improvement among the college population as a whole, Cabrera said.

“Students are more tuned in and more informed about the political dialogue in the nation than most people, but the bad news is sometimes students don’t take that energy and use it in the political arena,” he said.