My first day on Capitol Hill
was a star-studded event. I wasn't expecting too much for the day- I arrived
and learned how to sort the mail, use the phones, etc. Beyond that, without a
computer account or a security badge, there wasn't much I could do. The Capitol
was mainly shut down for an event, but a fellow USU intern from another office
and I decided that we would try and see if we could get in to the ceremony.
Temporary security badge in hand, Erika and I set off to the Capitol using the underground tunnel and subway system. Congress was awarding Aung San Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal- the highest medal of honor Congress can bestow upon a civilian. Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the world's most prominent former political prisoners, and now serves as the opposition leader in the Burmese Government. This trip was her first to the United States, and her medal ceremony was being held in the grand Rotunda of the Capitol Building.
We were turned away initially, told that we needed tickets to enter. We found an abandoned looking stairwell and decided to explore... and popped out in one of the antechamber entrances to the Rotunda. After nervously peering around to see if any angry security guards were en route to tackle us to the ground (and seeing none) we decided to stay just so we could listen, occasionally gathering up the courage to move a few steps closer. After about 5 minutes, a kindly old guide (we call them "the redcoats" because they wear very vibrantly red blazers) asked if we were interns. When we nodded yes, he motioned us over to his spot so we could catch a glimpse into the Rotunda.
I was practically dazed by the star power in the room in front of me. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, Senator John McCain, Former First Lady Laura Bush, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi... Politically, I don't even like half these people, but I was still in awe. They all spoke, and it was incredible.
This isn't a typical day working on the Hill. It can be slow, especially when Congress has recessed during election season. There are lots of more mundane days, answering phone calls, sorting mail and faxes, running errands, managing constituency case work and giving Capitol tours. However, this shows some a degree of the possibility that you always seem to feel working at the Capitol. It seems like almost anything can happen, and something almost always is. There are briefings on pertinent and fascinating topics- often accompanied by free food. Different groups come and give day long information fairs- again, also often accompanied by free food. Our office always has the news (or a Nationals baseball game) playing in the background. You can have lunch in a gazebo next to a fountain in the Botanical Gardens. Capitol Hill can make you feel like you have a pretty charmed life.
Temporary security badge in hand, Erika and I set off to the Capitol using the underground tunnel and subway system. Congress was awarding Aung San Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal- the highest medal of honor Congress can bestow upon a civilian. Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the world's most prominent former political prisoners, and now serves as the opposition leader in the Burmese Government. This trip was her first to the United States, and her medal ceremony was being held in the grand Rotunda of the Capitol Building.
We were turned away initially, told that we needed tickets to enter. We found an abandoned looking stairwell and decided to explore... and popped out in one of the antechamber entrances to the Rotunda. After nervously peering around to see if any angry security guards were en route to tackle us to the ground (and seeing none) we decided to stay just so we could listen, occasionally gathering up the courage to move a few steps closer. After about 5 minutes, a kindly old guide (we call them "the redcoats" because they wear very vibrantly red blazers) asked if we were interns. When we nodded yes, he motioned us over to his spot so we could catch a glimpse into the Rotunda.
I was practically dazed by the star power in the room in front of me. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, Senator John McCain, Former First Lady Laura Bush, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi... Politically, I don't even like half these people, but I was still in awe. They all spoke, and it was incredible.
This isn't a typical day working on the Hill. It can be slow, especially when Congress has recessed during election season. There are lots of more mundane days, answering phone calls, sorting mail and faxes, running errands, managing constituency case work and giving Capitol tours. However, this shows some a degree of the possibility that you always seem to feel working at the Capitol. It seems like almost anything can happen, and something almost always is. There are briefings on pertinent and fascinating topics- often accompanied by free food. Different groups come and give day long information fairs- again, also often accompanied by free food. Our office always has the news (or a Nationals baseball game) playing in the background. You can have lunch in a gazebo next to a fountain in the Botanical Gardens. Capitol Hill can make you feel like you have a pretty charmed life.
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