Well, it was our last full day in DC, and we went out with a bang! In fact, I was completely exhausted by the time I made it to bed last night.
We eat breakfast with Youth Tour delegates from Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana and Tennessee. It was interesting to hear how their Youth Tour contests were held. Lonnie was right. Every cooperative’s contest is different. I am glad our cooperative, Cuivre River Electric, had us write about “Cooperative Values at Work in a New Decade”. This trip truly has been educational!
After breakfast we got dressed in our best threads, packed our rain ponchos because of the weather forecast… Mostly cloudy with a 70% chance of severe thunderstorms… and hopped on the bus for Capitol Hill. Once there, the group was split up by legislative districts. Amy, Bethany, Ellyn and Emily went to Representative Todd Akin’s office. Zac and I (Megan) went to meet Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer. I must say, we looked remarkable and fit right in with the Washington, D.C. power elite crowd. If our parents could only see us now! We had our picture taken in front of the U.S. Capitol Building. How cool is that! Thanks Cuivre River Electric!
First, Zach Brown and I (Megan Costello) went to the Longworth House Office Building to meet with our elected official Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer. I learned something new today. The Longworth House Office Building is the second of three buildings (Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn) built for the United States House of Representatives. The neo-classical building is simply beautiful! It reminds me of the Roman Pantheon with its ionic marble columns. The U.S. Capitol is located directly across Independence Avenue.
You should have seen the look on the security guards face when our group came through the front doors. It took about ten minutes to get everybody through the security check point. Congressman Luetkemeyer represents the 9th District of Missouri. This district covers about half of Missouri. From the Iowa/Missouri border south to the Lake of the Ozarks and from Maryland Heights west to Columbia.
Amy Koonce, Bethany Reller, Ellyn Bruckerhoff and Emily Wynn went to the Cannon House Office Building to meet with Congressman Todd Akin. Congressman Akin represents the 2nd District of Missouri. This district covers St. Charles and Lincoln counties.
Congressman Luetkemeyer talked to us about his role as a U.S. Congressman and how he works for us. This was great! He talked about the issues he is currently working on with both the Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Luetkemeyer answered several questions from our Youth Tour delegates and then posed with us for a few pictures. I was really impressed with his answers and his concern for the people of Missouri. Thanks Congressman Luetkemeyer for taking the time to meet with us!
We were then given a personal tour of the Longworth House Office Building and escorted to the U.S. Capitol Building. We took the tunnel that links the Hart Senate Office Building to the U.S. Capitol Building. That was really cool! We met with Senator Christopher Bond. He spoke to us for several minutes about the issues our government is currently facing. He answered several questions and posed with us for pictures. Thanks Senator Christopher Bond! All of the politicians were pleasant and generous to share their valuable time with us. I’m now considering a career in politics. I may even try to become an intern after I graduate from high school and start college. What an interesting job!
Between our meetings with the legislators, we broke out the rain ponchos and toured the National Mall and the surrounding area. It was amazing to walk around the U.S. Capitol Building. It is beautiful! We met a U.S. Park Ranger and he told us about the history of the U.S. Capitol Building and its historic surroundings. I learned something new today. Did you know that President George Washington laid the cornerstone in 1793? Now you do! The U.S. Capitol was burned in 1814 by British troops. The Statue of Freedom was placed on top of the cast iron dome in 1863. Some 288 feet above the ground!
We visited the Supreme Court. This was really interesting because we just learned about Thurgood Marshal, the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States of America. It consists of the Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, each appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Quick, can you name our Chief Justice? John G. Roberts. I didn't know either, but now we both know!
We also visited the Library of Congress. I still cant' believe how elaborate and beautiful the Library of Congress is inside. You wouldn't guess that from outside. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and holds the largest number of books. How many? Millions of books, manuscripts, maps, photographs and recordings. No the Book of Secrets is not here as depicted in National Treasure 2. Sorry Zach! We did see the Gutenberg Bible. Wow! One of only four known in existence. Printed in 1454! Now that's old. The Thomas Jefferson's Library exhibit on the second floor was amazing. Over 2,000 of his personal book collection are available to view.
Others revisited the Smithsonian museums and the National Archive. The free time gave us an opportunity to see some of the sites we missed earlier in the week.
After a long afternoon on Capitol Hill, we came back to the hotel around 4:30 p.m. We quickly changed clothes and got our second wind just in time for the NRECA All-States Dinner and Dance, where we had the chance to dance, play games, eat and hang out with many of the other students from around the nation. It was a blast!
And just when we thought the fun was over around 11 p.m., Mike told us he’d rented a room for the sole purpose of keeping the party going. The chaperones first showed off some dance moves and then helped lead games of “Youth Tour Idol” (a singing contest), “So You Think You Can Dance” (a dance contest) and limbo. We laughed and talked late into the night. It really was a great way to end a memorable trip to the nation’s capital. I’ll never forget the experiences and friendships I’ve built in just a few short days.
But, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Tomorrow we’ll go back to the Baltimore airport to head home. I’m ready to see my family, but I also know I’m going to miss everyone. I sure hope we keep in touch.
