Fri- 28 Jun 19
So today we got a later start leaving about 9 o’clock catching a bus to the Pentagon and the yellow to Capitol South Metro for the US Capital tour that begins at 11 o’clock.
After watching an 18 minute film, we were greeted by our tour guide, Toni. She is a young lady, who admittedly is vertically challenged but has a huge personality. She was quite entertaining as she led us through the Capital, providing stories of the building and the statues in the Rotunda.
Like the White House, it is truly amazing, seeing our history right before our eyes. Those that have walked before us many years ago, helping to shape our country. After the tour was over, I asked her how to get Gallery tickets. So off we went to the Russel Building across the street to Senator Rubio’s office ( we are from Florida, remember). Wow, what long hallways, no wonder why it takes so much time to get anything done in Washington, it takes forever to get anywhere…
We were greeted by a very pleasant intern, who provided us each a pass to the Senate and House Galleries. We sat and visited a while she gave us a glass of water. It has been hot here, so the AC and cold water, along with her chit-chat was a nice relief. She took our picture from the hallway in front of Rubio’s name plaque and US Flag, we thanked her and we were to go watch the “in-action” of the Senate chambers. En route, we took a picture of Senator Lindsey Graham name plate as well.
So the last time Ann Marie and I were in the Senate Gallery, it was during the Impeachment vote of Pres Bill Clinton. My wife was almost arrested by Capital police, (twice) as she hollered “yeah” when someone voted in favor of impeachment. So, today she vowed to be on her best behavior. As we go through the last security check point to the Gallery, there is a fully body scanner, and while searching her purse, they found her favorite pen (with a light at the end of it) a NO-NO. So off to the Sergeant of Arms she goes to surrender her favorite pen. All the while, Brandon and I had cleared security, and we look behind us and she is a little “troubled”, be she got through it.
We entered the Senate Gallery, as they were waiting of Bernie Sanders to arrive to cast his vote on the Immigration Bill. He was the last one due to attending the Dems debate in Florida. He is last is so many ways… Not any action on the floor, just a few people there, and one Senator from New Mexico was “in charge” during the their wait. It was very interesting looking around the chamber. Seeing, remembering, and imagining the history that has taken place throughout of great history.
On to the House Chamber. After going through the same security again, but this time on the House side, we arrived at the Gallery. The house was was not in session, they had just passed (reluctantly) the Immigration Bill and they were all home. But, still just thinking about the amount of history conducted on the floor of the House was amazing. Very cool.
