The Alaska delegation was originally supposed to get a tour of the White House, but that didn't happen. Instead we went on a V.I.P. tour of the Capitol Building. We began at Senator Murkowski's office and proceeded to the basement of the Hart building. 
It's supposed to be good luck to walk across the star that marks where George Washington's crypt was supposed to be. As we know, his wife, Martha, honored his wishes and had him buried at Mount Vernon, rather than in the Capitol Building. My foot is the white tennis shoe at the bottom of the pic. Can good luck be far off? Hhhmmm...who knows! There was so much to view in the Capitol Building, so much history (I know...Duh!), so many people!!!!
Outside of Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office in the Hart Sentate Building.
I also stopped by Senator Obama's office. Of course he was not there. He did speak to the RA via satelite from Montana on the 3rd of July. Last year he came to speak in person, along with 7 other people that were presidential hopefuls. Huckabee was the only republican that came. All of the democratic candidates came. This year, an invitation was extended to McCain. He declined, just like last year. I wonder if he realizes that there are voting republicans that are members of the NEA...
I went to Sen. Hilary Clinton's office as well. She has spoken to the RA, in person, twice. Once in 2004 and the second time was last year in Philadelphia. While we didn't hear from her this year, I thought it would be cool to stop by her office. I am such a nerd when it comes to this kind of stuff!
It's supposed to be good luck to walk across the star that marks where George Washington's crypt was supposed to be. As we know, his wife, Martha, honored his wishes and had him buried at Mount Vernon, rather than in the Capitol Building. My foot is the white tennis shoe at the bottom of the pic. Can good luck be far off? Hhhmmm...who knows! There was so much to view in the Capitol Building, so much history (I know...Duh!), so many people!!!! 
Outside of Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office in the Hart Sentate Building.
I also stopped by Senator Obama's office. Of course he was not there. He did speak to the RA via satelite from Montana on the 3rd of July. Last year he came to speak in person, along with 7 other people that were presidential hopefuls. Huckabee was the only republican that came. All of the democratic candidates came. This year, an invitation was extended to McCain. He declined, just like last year. I wonder if he realizes that there are voting republicans that are members of the NEA...
I went to Sen. Hilary Clinton's office as well. She has spoken to the RA, in person, twice. Once in 2004 and the second time was last year in Philadelphia. While we didn't hear from her this year, I thought it would be cool to stop by her office. I am such a nerd when it comes to this kind of stuff!
Each of the 50 states has 2 statues within the Capitol Building. Alaska's statues are Senators Bob Bartlett and Earnest Grueining. Being the good wifey that I am, I took a picture with one of the statues from New Jersey. Unlike a good tourist, I forgot who it was. Oops!
After the sightseeing, Speedy Gonzalez style, we got down to the business of making policy for the National Education Association. I was actually on the speaking order, standing at microphone 4 (in the center of the photo). I was so excited, because what I had to say was VERY important, and NO ONE could vote on the issue without hearing my 2 cents worth. And, as fate would have it, someone moved to close debate!!!! ARG!!! The first time I finally get the nerve up to speak in front of over 9,000 of my close, personal friends, and I don't even get to speak! Oh well, at least I got the courage up to speak. Isn't democracy great?
I was able to reconnect with good friends. It's phone calls and emails for Miss Anna-Maria and I until RA. She is from Maryland. She has promised me for the past 4 years, that she will make it up to the Last Frontier one day. 
As the chair-person of the fundraising committee for Alaska (A.K.A. the Giveaway Captain) I need as much help as I can get. It's a huge job! One of my minions/helpers this year was the Alaska member of the NEA Resolutions Committee, Jerry! I could not have done my job this year without the help of Deanna, Ilona, Jerry, Kelly, and of course, Barb (from NEA-Alaska). Thanks much guys! We actually made it into the top 10 for "per delegate contributions" We actually were #7!!! YEAH!!!!!
Lisa was my roommate at my first RA, which was also in D.C. We did many things together, including designing the logo for the Anchorage Education Association. We have presented together at Pacific Regional Leadership Conference as well as the NEA-Alaska's April Leadership conference. I am often called Lisa. I am not sure how frequently she is called Jessica anymore, but we decided to lable ourselves "JoCo" (Her last name is Johnson).
Kelly and I hung out a bit. We went to eat Ethiopian food with Ilona at a restaurant in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of D.C. We went back a few nights later with Jerry and hung out and did some people watching at Meze. Definiely not a neighborhood to have a baby. There seemed to be a constant stream of emergency vehicles going down the street. Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances...and of course many taxi cabs were all over the place. It is a very multi-ethnic area. It was interesting watching the people. Since one can only watch people for so long, we ended our evening back at our hotel in Arlington, VA.
Next year's RA is in San Diego. I am hoping to attend. It would be really cool if the man and offspring could join me!
1 comment:
Hmmm.... I see you found the backgrounds!!! looks good... you know you could be writing a novel on here while you are recovering??? hope that knee is doing better.......
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