My trip to the Capitol

Yesterday I went up to the Capitol Building with one of my Comms professors and two classmates. I rode up with Kristian (one classmate) and his wife Robin. Jeff (the other classmate) and Professor Campbell met us on the second floor under the dome at 9 am, when Prof. Campbell proceeded to give us a tour of the building, pointing out the press tables in the galleries, explaining where you could go as a member of the public and where you needed a press pass to enter, how to send a note to a particular representative or senator through their "green coat" or "blue coat" security guards during a session.

He told us about the parts of the Capitol that were restored and about the murals and statues in the building, took Jeff and I to the cafeteria in the Senate Office Building (where I satisfied a craving for chocolate milk) and then talked us through the stories we're currently chasing. After our snack at the cafeteria, we went back to the main building and sent notes in to the respective senators we wanted to talk to. Jeff's senator came out for a quick interview. Mine sent his interns to say he'd call me later. After that, Professor Campbell left and Jeff and I sat in on the House session with Robin until Kristian came back from interviewing a few people. As the Daily Universe's legislative reporter, Jeff will apply for a press pass and likely be up at the Capitol all the time. For Kristian and I, who are only planning to chase one legislative story each, getting a press pass wasn't worth it.

All in all, it was a very exciting morning. I loved the tour of the Capitol and the helpful explanations (and demonstrations) of how the House and Senate try to accommodate reporters. Also, that chocolate milk just hit the spot. :)