My son is great! (drmontoya - 1/17/2007 11:10:16 PM)
Isn't he cute?
A week ago, I had the day off work so I decided to finally go to the capitol to congratulate and greet Senator Jim Webb. I couldn't attend all of the swearing in festivities early this month because me and my wife were both enjoying our new baby.
First, I couldn't find any parking near the Capitol. It took me nearly half an hour to find a parking space. I believe, it was a designated Senate Staffer parking area. I didn't have a sticker, but I didn't care because I knew they wouldn't be able to find every car who didn't have an a appropriate car sticker yet.
I wanted to visit a number of offices, but first I began with our newest Senator from Virginia.
As I entered the Russell Senate Office Building, a place I am familiar with due to the fact that I have delivered documents prior to the Senate Armed Services Committee which is in the Russell Building.
I realized quickly, that I wasn't aware of the exact location of Senator Webb's office. I was notified by a random staffer I snagged in a hall that his office was in the courtyard in a temporary space.
Finally I found the office, I walked in. The temporary space sits actually in the courtyard in sort of a portable building. My friend Mary, was sitting at the front desk as she had been recently hired as a staff assistant. She smiled, and was on the telephone with a constituent so I pressed on and found another friendly face, Mac McGarvey. He is a long time friend of Jim and his radio-operator from Vietnam. He's was busy at first in an interview or at least that what it appeared to be.
Next, I found Chief of Staff Paul Reagan who was warm and apparently very busy as you could see his desk was full of paperwork, mail, and random items. Finally when Mary was off the phone after I greeted her I asked her where the Senator was. I found also many other friends in Webb's office. Jessica Smith who was the Webb Campaign's Press Secretary is now the Communications Director. Ashley Owens & Adam Schiff are also working in the office.
The scheduler was sitting in Phil Thompson's desk, who was at the time out in the first part of a Foreign Relations hearing with Senator Webb. I agreed to join Mary for lunch, and as I waited I was Senator Webb exchange a series of questions to Secretary Rice in the internal network that have on "the hill".
Finally, I saw they broke. I went to a cafe around the corner in the building and ate lunch. When I returned I was greeted by Phil Thompson. He is also a Veteran, and long-time friend of Jim. He had his lunch in his hand and was ready to eat quickly and then jump back to the hearing with the Senator.
Anxious to find Senator Webb around his busy schedule in the Senate. Earlier, the Senator's scheduler, told me I could go to the hearing to watch and possibly catch Senator Webb. So I decided I would go to the hearing. I sat there and saw a few Senator's come out. Bob Casey, Joe Biden, Bob Corker (who later was getting grilled by someone in the hall), and Bob Menendez. Finally, Senator Webb.
I approached the bench where he was about to take his seat and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and greeted me with a smile and a heavy handshake. I told him I very much appreciated the work he was doing in the Senate, and for the tough questions he has been asking. We talked about my wife, my new son and the details of the birth.
He informed me that earlier that day due to the surge he found out that his son would be extended in Iraq. Jimmy, a recent friend of mine is something we frequently talk about when Senator Webb and I meet. He also talked to me more about the hearing, and about my future plans as I seek to leave the Navy this year.
He left the second part of the hearing earlier, after he left so did I. Walking down the hall I caught freshman Senator Bob Corker in a bit of a small argument with a taller man. Both had southern accents, though Corker's is much heavier. The other gentlemen said something like "Bob you can't do that". I think he was getting a little fresh congressional education.
I left the Senate side, and approached the House side of Congress. There I visited my friend Sarah in Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT) office. I saw a middle aged man sitting in the waiting area so after I told the young lady at the front desk who I was seeking, I sat with him. I quickly find out this is the Congressman, and we both laughed. He apparently was kicked out of his office for something by one of his staffers. I thanked him for endorsing Wes Clark in 2004, and he quickly reminded me that no thanks was needed and he would "gladly" do it again should Clark run in 2008.
After I left Matheson office after a nice conversation with Sarah, I went to another friend in another office. My friend Kelli in Congressman Norm Dick's office. But, she was out. The first time she hasn't been at work that I have noticed.
It was a very good day on Capitol Hill, and I wanted to share it.
Isn't he cute?