(Can You Hear Me?) Headsets On The Capitol

Dear Readers,

I am happy to report that my flight back to California went very well. A full 45 minutes ahead of schedule!

One of the best treats that I had visiting Washington DC for the last 10 days was going on a tour of The Capitol Building, where the Senate and Representatives do their work on The Hill.

Karin made some calls and we stopped by the office of Representative Louise Slaughter, NY and were greeted by some fellow Rochesterians. Unfortunately the Congresswoman was not in, but we did get the treat of seeing her office and the beautiful view of the adjacent Capitol.

Majestic. The grounds are a whole 274 acres so wear good shoes for walking

What I enjoyed was that people in DC love to talk about WHY they are there. Turns out people of our generation are very engaged in making our country a better place and finding a way to do so. For many that means attending George Washington University after completing their undergrad elsewhere. GWU is located in the historic district known as Foggy Bottom.

Next we were escorted by an intern named Elliott down to the tour and we waited.

Headsets? Check!

Finally, headsets on we began our tour. About 25 of us were presented a short film all about the construction of the building and some patriotism.

There is something about standing in a place, regardless of your personal political views, where HISTORY and GREAT MEN have thought, walked and argued. Name a few? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln, FDR...I could go on and on.

Alexander Hamilton

Not always the BEST man, but he did have some WISE things to SAY

Our guide appears to be Betty White, but alas it is not. DARN! She is charming and does a great job leading us through as we all are connected via headsets. We applaud her after she has taken us up and down stairwells, hallways, marble corridors, and back again.

There is a story that we are told about John Quincy Adams taking advantage of the natural acoustics of the National Statuary Hall. Our tour guide goes over to the far side of the room to WHiSPER. As she is without headset at this point and telling us more SECRETS we nod that we can indeed hear her! Apparently Adams discovered this phenomenon and found a way to listen to the quiet discussions being held by opponents and gain information. Oooo! Pretty cool!

Now Karin and I have tickets to go view the Galleries of the House of Representatives and Senate, however the latter is closed. We were not allowed any electronic devices at all so you know what that means: no cameras, no cell phones = no pictures. Sorry.

As you sit on the second floor overlooking where the President gives his State of the Union address you realize that a lot does on on here. Sure, right now it is so quiet you could hear a pin drop, but this room gets LOUD when the House is in session. We contemplate. We look around. We try to figure out why there are 56 emblems that surround the ceiling above us. Sculptures of lawmakers and lawgivers are throughout such as Moses and Thomas Jefferson.

Next time I visit, and if you my friends are planning a trip to DC, do try to get a private tour of The Capitol Building. While I enjoyed this free tour of a very historic place in our country, Karin said that a lot was omitted in this setting. Did I mention my friend Karin used to give the tours? Here is a link that my help you: Schedule Your Tour. Who knows...you may be able to greet your Representative!

Enjoy your Monday,
Mark