Do you ever need a lift? I mean an emotional lift. I didn’t know I needed one until I visited the capitol in Raleigh today to meet with legislators as part of the Convention of States team. While there, my spirits were boosted. We all know how upbeat our COS colleagues can be, but I was surprised by the smiling faces everywhere. Senators and Representatives, their staff, and even the security guards could not have been more friendly and cheerful.
I must admit that I haven’t been within two blocks of our state capitol before today. I knew it existed. I knew we had a bicameral state legislature. I had a passing knowledge of all the folks I voted for. Before I got involved with COS, it just didn’t seem that important to me.
The real estate that we the people own in Raleigh is beautiful. When I think of the NC State Capitol, I think only of the capitol building itself. A block away lies the Halifax Mall surrounded by the State Public Education building, the NCDHHS, and the Board of Elections, in addition to the two legislative office buildings.
The legislative office buildings house senators and representatives. Who resides in each building makes little sense to me because both buildings have representatives and senators. They are not separated by party either. I expected there to be a division by office, or by party - or maybe seniority - but it doesn't appear to be so.
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. Legislative Buildings State Public Education Building
I met with the senator for my district, Benton Sawrey. When I asked for a picture, he led me into the senate chamber, and we got a pic right in front of the speaker’s podium. While in the chamber, he pointed out a few things. Seating is by seniority. New people to the back, senior members to the front.
Sen. Sawrey explained that you can tell how long a senator has served by the number of Bibles on his desk. A Bible is presented to each lawmaker at the start of a new term. I feel blessed to live in a state that hands out Bibles, and even more blessed that most legislators read them. The longest-serving senator is Phil Berger with ten Bibles lined up on his desk.
The main legislative office building was built in 1960. The architecture was an advanced style for that era, but now I would describe it as elegantly simple, dated but not out of style. There has been a lot of renovation over the years. Yet when you get out into the office hallways you can see hints of 60s.
The senate chamber is very functional but still decorated and arranged to give one the feel that you have entered an important place that deserves some reverence. Above the chamber is gallery seating. Each senator has some seats that he can allot to constituents. I’d love to be there while they are in session just for the experience.
If you can join the COS team for a Wednesday visit to the capitol, you should. You can make a day of it. Even if you can’t make a Wednesday, you can always drop by on your own. The Legislative Offices building is located at 16 W Jones St. There are museums, restaurants, and other things to see nearby. Go in and meet your senator and representative for your district. See these people without the TV makeup or the airbrushed photos on the campaign flyers they unload into your mailbox every election year. See them when they are not in a crowd so that you can have their attention for more than a moment. My senator spent more than 15 minutes with me. I was impressed.
If you haven’t met with your state legislators, I’d urge you to come to the capitol and find your way to their offices. Say hello, thank them for what they’ve done, and ask them to do what you’d like them to do. I never imagined it would be so easy and so much fun to press the flesh, have a chat, and trade smiles with these people. They are just like you and me, they just have a different job to do.
Shoot, I even got a kiss from the Liberty Llama (AKA Reepicheep)
