November 14, 2010 Day One of Freshman Congressional Orientation

Mo, Mark Pettitt (chief of staff) and I arrived in Baltimore after an early morning flight and then took the bus and metro to DC.  Mo went off to three receptions while Mark and I checked into the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at (where else!) L’Enfant Plaza!

            First order of business was to get more orientation materials and a photo badge made that will get us into many exciting (I hope) locations and meetings.  We ate a light lunch in the hospitality suite.  We sat down at a table with Bill Keating and his wife Tevis.  He is a democrat from Massachusetts.  It was fun to talk with them informally, and even though he is on the “other side”, we had a lot in common, just coming off the campaign trail.

            Mark and I then sat in the lobby to look over the orientation materials we received, especially the schedule.  We found we had to move shortly, though, because we were approached TWICE by reporters.  They were obviously bored because the flow of incoming new members had slowed to a trickle, so they were looking for a background story and saw the badges hanging around our necks.  The first was from the Washington Times and the second from Roll Call.  They both asked about what we were doing this week, how I felt about moving to Washington, how we select our offices, etc.  It was fun to be interviewed, but don’t look for a headline from it (or even a mention in an article!).

            Mo and my room looks out toward the Potomac River and Reagan Airport.  From the balcony we can also see the new baseball stadium.  It’s beautiful!  Mark, being staff, looks at the courtyard ;).

            At about 4:15 Mo came staggering in, having been to three receptions and eaten two meals and a snack.  He had gotten his badge and picked up his Blackberry and computer!  As Mo, Mark and I were discussing what was happening that evening, the doorbell rings (yes, doorbell!) and in walks a porter with a gift box of snacks from Eric Cantor and a bag full of goodies from Kevin McCarthy’s district.

            All three of us then went to a reception in the hotel for all the new members, spouses, and aides.  Shortly, it was announced that members and spouses were to start boarding busses for dinner.  Republican members were going to the Statuary Hall in the Capitol, and Democrats to the Library of Congress.  Walking to the three busses for the Republicans, we quipped that the Democrats could have used a taxi for all of them!

            We had a police escort, complete with siren to and from the Capitol.  When we got there, we were escorted to John Boehner’s outside office for hors d’oeurves.  We milled about with new members, spouses, and leadership such as John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Kevin McCarthy, and Mike Pence.

            Soon we were led into the Statuary Hall where there were tables set up.  We each had an assigned table.  I sat next to Mike Pence and his wife, Karen.  They are lovely people.  Mike told us that the statuary hall was used as Congressional chambers for about 50 years after the Capitol was burned during the War of 1812.  On the floor is showing where prominent congressmen’s desks were, including Abraham Lincoln and John Quincy Adams.  Adams became a congressman AFTER he was president and worked for the rest of his days to abolish slavery.  Although he died before he saw his work come to fruition, he had a great affect on Lincoln, who was in congress at the same time.  Mike Pence advised the new members at the table that taking school groups on tours was one of his most favorite jobs!

            We had a lovely dinner and a short talk after by John Boehner.  He said the word he wanted the members to keep in mind is “humble”.  He stressed that we are here to serve the people. Then he told us we were going to go into the house chambers where we could look around and take pictures.  We did just that!  The floor of the House seemed relatively small.  It must be very crowded when all 435 congressmen are present!

             

            Afterward Mo and I were sitting on the bus while member and spouses were getting on.  One wife got on and announced, “Gentlemen, good job!  This was the best date EVER!”  She was right.

            I think this was the first time it has started to sink in that this is really happening.  Being in the Capitol in such an intimate setting made the whole thing seem real.  The magnitude and responsibility we have undertaken is humbling. 

            It’s 11:15 and Mo just got in from his last meeting.  We left the house at 5:30 a.m.  It’s going to be a doozy of a week!