Madam Speaker...(Part 2 in a Series)

Hey again folks,


I walked into the office on Tuesday morning and got a really great opportunity: I got a ticket to go see the German Chancellor speak in front of a Joint Session of Congress.


First, what is a Joint Session you ask? Well, it is rare usually only once or twice a year do both houses of Congress (the Senate and House of Reps) convene together. While in session, either the President or a foreign head of state addresses them. When the President addresses them, it is usually in January and is called "The State of the Union". However, as I said, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, would speak.


It was a packed house. It seemed that everyone was there from Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Congressmen, Senators, and members of the President's Cabinet. In the parliamentary tradition, the Sergeant at Arms announces the names of those dignitaries that process in (which is where we get the title to the post from).


It was a really great speech. She gave it in German, so we had to use the headphones they supplied us to listen to the translation. Unfortunately, you're barred from taking any electronic device into the House Gallery, therefore no pictures to speak of.


Alrighty, that'll do it for now. I know it was a little short and had no pictures, but there is more to come...