Congress

An email came out to the whole society that began, "If you've ever wanted to walk the halls of Congress, here's your chance" and that's about as far as I read before I decided to volunteer.

The week before the world gained its 7 billionth person, National Geographic put together a special issue just for Congress: a compilation of the articles it has been running all year on the world reaching 7 billion people.

Since we're practically right down the street from the Senate and Congressional office buildings, I was given 15 magazines for 15 occupants of the Longworth Congressional Office Building.  I was excited to see what actually went on at Congress, but first I would have to get past security.

I don't have a staffer badge, and I didn't really have a good reason for being there.  I did, however, wear a suit and have generally found the notion that a smile and a clipboard can get you anywhere to be very true.  I also must generally look non-threatening since people tend to let me through security without a thorough check and strangers have left both purses and children with me before they even knew my name.  This worked to my advantage and I walked right in without any questions asked.

My 15 representatives included Gabrielle Giffords (who I did not meet) and Jim McDermott (who was the only representative I actually saw in the building).

There is a definite feeling in those halls, though.  These aren't just normal offices (although they look very normal).  Everyone's office has a nice nameplate displaying the representative and their state, plus most keep flags outside the door, making everything look very official and important.  Inside, everyone's office is different, but most are decorated in over-the-top admiration for the state who elected them. 

 Halls of Congress - I'm not really sure I was supposed to be taking pictures.

Found a Wisconsinite!  I was later told Paul Ryan "is not one of the good ones".

I can see why everyone wants to keep their jobs.  In addition to the fact that this seems like a nice place to work, there's definitely a general feeling in these buildings that exudes both power and an optimistic viewpoint that people here are really trying to make a difference.  Or maybe that's just me projecting my own vision on what Congress should be doing on the halls themselves.

My mom told Nathan that I'm the kind of person who would step foot inside the halls of Congress and decide to run.  She knows me pretty well.  I would never make it through a campaign, but I think I would do a pretty damn good job in office.