with Liberty and Justice for All.....(Part 2)

The high point of our day at the capitol for me was unplanned! (Highly unusual I would enjoy an impromptu moment!) At the time, our group of alumni students was listening to the interns explain a bill we'd picked up in the "bill room". All of a sudden, a gentlemen in street clothes approached the group and introduced himself as Representative David Gowan, Sr. from District 30. Within moments he was asking our group leaders if he could give us a personal tour! My hat is off to our wonderful interns who sensed this was a great opportunity and went with the flow. I have no idea what our time was supposed to consist of - but what occurred was grand!

Representative Gowan whisked us over to the House where we then were able to go "behind the scenes" and he educated the kids about the steps of how a bill becomes law - as we walked to all the key places.....

Lobby of the House

I didn't catch the name of this room - but basically a place where representatives can go to have research done on ideas for bills - information, etc.

This is Rep. Gowan's office - where he talked to the kids a little about "bills"..... we then went to an office area where he explained he gives the bill to a clerk to be typed up and then Ryan was able to "drop" an actual bill to be assigned a number....and now we will follow it through the process. Next, they saw the committee meeting rooms where bills are heard and then we were able to enter the actual chamber of the House since they were not in session!

Representative Gowan lead the kids to his desk on the floor and explained all the items he had there and why they were present.

After that, they were able to carefully go up front and sit in the Speaker's chair! How excellent is that?

This is the view from the front of the Speaker's desk.....

After leaving the chamber we walked through the "lounge" and then - probably the most exciting for the kids - was a walk through a "secret tunnel" connecting the House to the Senate building. It was hilarious how much of a rise that got out of the kids! (Basically left over from the cold war and now stuffed full of overflow materials!)

Mr. Gowan's enthusiasm and genuine joy was evident as he interacted with the kids and escorted them through the building. He clearly enjoyed his job and was thrilled to be in office. I am not kidding when I say it was such an encouragement to this mama to meet a Godly man such as him - and to know he is working for little old me. Our children were able to see that most of our senators and representatives are honorable citizens - much like our neighbors or friends - who are passionate about what they do and want to make a difference. Representative Gowan did not have to take the time or effort to do this, but he did and for that we were appreciative!