Curt Rose, age 14, of Grand Forks, N.D., for his question:

HOW DID 'LOBBYING' RECEIVE ITS NAME?

Lobbying is the practice of attempting to influence legislation. Lobbying is performed by agents, called lobbyists, of a particular interest group, known as a lobby. The term received its name from the way in which these agents formerly confronted legislators in the lobby or hallways outside a legislative chamber.

Lobbying is guaranteed by the lot Amendment to the United States Constitution. Article 1 specifies the right of the people to petition their government. Today lobbying has become an accepted fact of American political life.

Lobbying operates on the local state and national level. Lobbyists may represent such varied interests as agriculture or transportation, professions such as medicine and the law or such groups as women voters or conservationists.

The U.S. Congress passed a Regulation of Lobbying Act in 1946 that requires registration of professional lobbyists, their employers and their expenses. The measure is one of many state and federal laws that regulate lobbying.