“Super Week on Capitol Hill” visiting Washington D.C. on the 4th stage of my Walter Hines Page Scholarship.

 

I again used Amtrak to travel from New York to Washington D.C. this 3 hour train journey took me through some of America’s heartlands such as Trenton, Philadelphia & Baltimore before arriving at Washington D.C. As I exited the train station into the mid afternoon sunshine I was struck by how warm and close it was in D.C. the temperature and humidity seemed to have jumped considerably from the milder and wetter Northern States I had just travelled from.

As I left the train station to make my way to my Airbnb which I had booked for my first couple of nights in Washington I felt a heightened sense of excitement seeing the Capitol’s distinctive red taxi cabs, most American cities taxi providers are the iconic yellow cabs, but in D.C. they are red and I for one think this difference suits Washington.

Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia is often referred to simply as Washington or D.C. it is the capital of the United States and was founded after the American Revolution (1765-1783) as the seat of government of the newly independent country, Washington was named after George Washington, who was  the first President of the United States and considered as the Founding Father of the United States of America.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution

http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/george-washington

On July 9, 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which approved the creation of a national capital on the Potomac River. The exact location was to be selected by President George Washington, who signed the bill into law on July 16. Formed from land donated by the states of Maryland and Virginia, the initial shape of the federal district was a square measuring 10 miles.

The new federal city was constructed on the north bank of the Potomac, to the east of Georgetown. On September 9, 1791, the three commissioners overseeing the capital’s construction named the city in honour of President Washington. The federal district was named Columbia, which was a common used name for the United States at that time and Congress held its first session in Washington on November 17, 1800.

On August 24–25, 1814, in a raid known as the Burning of Washington, British forces invaded the capital during the War of 1812. The Capitol, Treasury, and White House were burned and gutted during the attack. Most government buildings were repaired quickly; however, the Capitol which was largely under construction at the time was spared and was not completed in its current form until 1868.

http://www.history.com/news/the-british-burn-washington-d-c-200-years-ago

Washington today has a population of 693,000 people and is a sprawling city often described as the political Capital of the World, owing to its status as the seat of the United States Federal Government with The three branches of the U.S. Federal Government centred in the District: these being as outlined in the US Constitution the:

U.S. Congress (legislative) President (executive), and the U.S. Supreme Court (judicial).

Washington is also home to many national monuments and museums, which are primarily situated on or around the National Mall, the National Mall sits in between the Senate, the Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The central hub of the city also hosts 177 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of many international organizations, trade unions, non-profit, lobbying groups, and professional associations, including my hosts during my time in the city, The National Education Association (NEA)

The NEA:

http://www.nea.org/

Founded In 1857, by 100 American educators who answered the call to unite as one voice in the cause of public education. At that time, learning to read and write was a luxury for most children—and a crime for many Black children. One hundred and fifty years later, the NEA now has 3.2 million members leading and framing the debate for the rights of all educators and all children across America.

I had been invited to attend their National conference and support the lobbying of the Congressional representatives for the respective States on Capitol Hill, this is known as “NEA’s Super Week”

(A congressional district is an electoral constituency that elects a single member of a congress. A congressional district is based on population, which, in the United States, is taken using a census every ten years.)

“Super Week”

The NEA organises it’s National Conference where educators from every State across America converge together in Washington and then arrange meetings with their Congressional representatives in both the House of Representatives and The Senate to build strong and lasting relationships with their elected officials and to enter into dialogue with the same on local, regional and nationwide educational issues.

My hosts for this Super Week was the Maryland delegation who after the morning session of the conference where key NEA business was discussed headed for Capitol Hill.

(The Maryland delegation was made up of , Russell Leone, Betty Weller & myself (front row)  Doug Lea, Jacob Zebley and Brian Donoughe (back row).

We walked down Pennsylvania Avenue and hailed a cab (red) to take us to Capitol Hill, it felt a very surreal moment driving through downtown Washington watching the sights drift pass as I made my way to the U.S. Senate.

Lobbying and meeting Congressmen and Senators:

Picture 1: Meeting Congressmen A. Brown – (Maryland)

Picture 2: Meeting Senator C Van Hollen – (Maryland)

https://anthonybrown.house.gov/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Hollen

I spent the day meeting various politicians, both from the House of Representatives and from the Senate who represent the State of Maryland that had agreed to meet with Maryland NEA delegation.

It was fascinating to be involved in discussions with politicians from both the democratic and republican political parties and I was surprised that the views from both political spectrums were remarkably similar, this being that the education system in America needed reform.

It was also hugely beneficial to speak with U.S. politicians on topics such as Fillabusting, pork barrel politics and Gridlock that the U.S political system can fall foul of, along with the eternal discussion/debate on State. vs. Federal powers.

Walking through the halls of the House of Representatives in the morning and the Senate in the afternoon was a privilege and the politicians I met were gracious, welcoming and friendly and for that I remain immensely grateful.

Cosmos Club/English Speaking Union function:

I was incredibly fortunate that my host for part of my time in Washington D.C. was Karen Blair Brand Branch President for Pennsylvania (who I will discuss in more depth within my report on my time in Pennsylvania) we arranged to meet at her late husband’s club – The Cosmos Club.

The Cosmos Club was founded by John Wesley Powell in 1878 , its goals are “The advancement of its members in science, literature, and art”. Cosmos Club members have included three U.S. presidents, two U.S. vice presidents, a dozen Supreme Court justices, 36 Nobel Prize winners and 61 Pulitzer Prize winners. 

I checked in and was escorted to my room, winding my way through library’s corridors and meeting rooms reflecting the club’s part it has played and continues to play in shaping the history and future at the heart of the political capital of the world, It felt a privilege to be allowed to visit this hidden gem even for a short time.

After refreshments Karen and I struck off to “District Commons” a local restaurant to meet the ESU Washington D.C. branch members.

Over a wonderful dinner, discussion flowed regarding the ESU’s programme of study for students both on a national and State scale. Karen was hoping to organise and facilitate bringing students from State College, Pennsylvania to both Washington D.C. & New York City as she has historically for various ESU Shakespeare events.

https://www.esuus.org/centralpa/?nstart=5&count=11&nstart=0

Further talks ranged from President Trump’s Inauguration Day to The United Kingdom’s referendum to leave the European Union.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_Club

http://www.districtcommonsdc.com/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/20/president-donald-trump-inauguration-sworn-in

http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/brexit

 

The National Mall:

I set some time aside whilst in D.C. to explore the National Mall, as such I took the metro to George Washington University station from my Airbnb and came out right by Devon & Blakey, which is a fantastic deli recommended to me by a local D.C. resident serving both the George Washington Hospital and GW University.

After a superb breakfast and copious amounts of excellent coffee I walked the half mile down to the Lincoln Memorial where Abraham Lincoln gazes northwards across the National Mall towards the Reflecting Pool and further onto Capitol Hill.

My plan was to walk the 1.5 mile length of The National Mall starting at the Lincoln Memorial and finishing on the steps of The Senate.

https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall

Lincoln Memorial:

With the sun shining and glorious blue skies I sat on the steps and soaked in this amazing Memorial to the 16th President of The United States of America.

The National Mall was laid out in front of me and I was aware that I was seated in a place that has become for many a symbolically sacred venue and especially so for the American Civil Rights Movement.

On August 28, 1963, the Lincoln memorial grounds were the site of the March on Washington by the American Civil Rights Movement. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 people came to the event, where they heard Martin Luther King Jr., deliver his historic “I Have a Dream” speech before the memorial honoring the president who had issued the Emancipation Proclamation 100 years earlier.

https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/emancipation-proclamation

From the Lincoln Memorial I walked north through the gardens and visited The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial:

I found myself walking through this part of the Memorial gardens amongst and with a group of American retired soldiers and their families who had come to The Vietnam Vet’s Wall to pay homage to fallen comrades. Over 58,000 men and women from America died in this controversial war and I observed many families etching and rubbing the names of their loved ones to take home with them. It was a humbling experience to observe the rows upon rows of names and the many items left in honour to family members and colleagues lost in this war.

https://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm

I continued walking North through the lush gardens and pathways, enjoying the warm sunshine and landscaped grounds that lead me to The Washington Memorial.

Washington Monument:

The Washington Monument is an obelisk built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States. Located east of the Reflecting Pool the monument, made of marble and granite it is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk, standing 554 feet 7 ¹¹⁄₃₂ inches.

The Monument is surrounded by 50 American flags that even on the still day I visited fluttered in the breeze and the only sounds that were noticeable was the flagpoles clanking and singing. It is not immediately noticeable to the naked eye as you walk along The National Mall but the Monument is on a large raised mound of earth, that elevates you and offers a different perspective on the surroundings.

https://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum:

I walked further along the East side of the National Mall towards The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum which maintains the world’s largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artefacts, encompassing all aspects of human flight, it hosts over eight million visitors a year, making it the most visited museum in America.

It is quite simply the most awe inspiring museum I have ever visited, it quite simply assaults your senses as you enter into its atrium, with everything from The Wright Brothers first flight in 1903 to the most modern space aircraft, and reflects the leap in both knowledge and technology mankind has experienced over the last 100 years.

From observing how astronauts space capsules, food, and even space suits have evolved, to touching and handling moon rocks, to watching cutting edge technology 4d space observatory films and much more are all housed within the museum.

Spending some time in The Smithsonian reflects how much America has contributed to the advancement, knowledge and development of mankind.

https://airandspace.si.edu/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_brothers

After enjoying a fantastic afternoon exploring the Smithsonian I hopped back onto the Metro system and rode the train to Arlington Cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery, it lies across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., where the dead of the nation’s conflicts have been buried, beginning with the Civil War, as well as reinterred dead from earlier wars, due to its unique status it is rightly classed as “Hallowed Ground”.

Interestingly (and a fact I found quite peculiar) the National C was established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, which had been the estate of the family of  Confederate general Robert E. Lee.

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/robert-e-lee

I visited Arlington for a number of reasons, I had been told and heard of the excellent display in the atrium of the cemetery which displayed artefacts from  soldiers from the various conflicts/wars and also the excellent displays on the soldiers that have made up the American military. Secondly I wanted to visit both the Tomb of The Unknown Solider and the graveside of President John F. Kennedy gravesite which I felt would reflect the values and history of America.

https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Visit

At every key location I visited I observed school groups from across the country visiting the same sights to help the next generation understand and appreciate what previous generations had experienced or lived through, or to mark and acknowledge key figures who shaped America’s history and identity.

I feel the area superbly reflects and honours America’s history, its culture and important events that have shaped American Values. It is a truly amazing part of the city that I hope to return to and explore further in the future.

The Boss & Born in the USA:

Washington D.C holds a special place in my feelings, I love the way it runs to a different pace and has a different feel and vibe to the other American cities & States I have visited, this for me is highlighted in the city’s red taxi cabs or the distinctive metro system which has its own look and of course the City’s iconic landmarks.

I have been lucky to visit Washington D.C. on a number of occasions and hope to visit again in the future but I have never before been able to experience and have access to the American political system that the NEA & colleagues from the Maryland NEA delegation afforded me.

It was an immense privilege to be involved within the NEA’s Super Week and discuss international educational issues with both Congressmen & Senator’s from the various States I visited.

My time in the political Capital of the World, took me back to the very first album I purchased way back in 1984 which was “Born in the U.S.A” by Bruce Springsteen, his songs took me to America and an awareness of the issues American society was facing at that time, and I visited America many times in my teenage mind whilst laying on my bed playing air guitar.

As I walked through D.C. his songs flooded back to me. So in homage to “The Boss” I chose the iconic first track from hit album with the same title -Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting my blog and reading the fourth out of the six reports on the cities I visited on my WHPS.

Next Up……………. I travel and report on my time in the State of Maryland.