Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has faced criticism over the past week from the youth community for comments made about the values of the Millennial Generation.  While I would never agree that young people lack social values, we should not overlook the larger goal of the hearing, which was to protect the privacy of Facebook users under the age of 13.

The truth is that Senator Rockefeller has been a champion for young Americans throughout his political career.  He has been one of the strongest advocates in Congress for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has provided health care for millions of young people under the age of eighteen.  He has also championed student loan forgiveness for young adults who are in public service for at least ten years.

Perhaps most importantly, the path that Senator Rockefeller chose as a young man closely resembles the life choices of many of my peers in the Millennial Generation.  During his twenties, Rockefeller came to West Virginia with the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program to devote himself to working with underserved, rural Appalachian communities.  He deeply understands that young people are often driven by the need to be part of something larger than themselves.  This is the bedrock of my generation’s social values, and I’m certain that Senator Rockefeller’s life experiences have instilled a commitment and respect for young people and the work we can accomplish.

I consider Senator Rockefeller a personal friend, and few leaders have been more supportive of my efforts to engage young adults in the political process in West Virginia and throughout the country.  Let’s not overlook a lifetime of public service as a result of one comment.

Rod Snyder is the president of the Young Democrats of America and immediate past president of the West Virginia Young Democrats.