Yesterday, Sunday June 28th, was a celebration of our nation's capitol city. I started my day off by visiting the National Cathedral. Decorated with ornate architecture and colorful stained-glass windows, the building is absolutely immaculate. I spent a solid 30 to 40 minutes in full tourist form, exploring every area of the building before the service ever started. Once we sat down, I quickly noticed the difference between the Episcopalian tradition and the baptist church I grew up in. It was a wonderful service that displayed an array of both talent and tradition. The a cappella choir, articulate speakers and masterful organists were a true joy to witness.
Perhaps, the best portion of the service showed the flexibility and open mindedness of the church. For two years, the Cathedral church has had a partnership with the Covenant Baptist church in Ward 8, a very low-income area of Washington DC. Together, they work to relieve the poverty that grips so much of the greater DC area. Dr. Christine Wiley and her husband spoke about the social responsibility of service. She referred to Edmund Burke's famous quote, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing," and she followed by saying that these words may "ring truer now today, than ever." Her message resounded as clearly as her voice was heard throughout the entire cathedral chamber.
The middle of the day was highlighted by a trip to the Washington Mall where I met several other interns who were playing a game of wiffleball. Hanging out on the mall is really an event in and of itself. There is always so much going on and quite a range of people to meet.
I finished my day by attending a national barbecue competition on Pensylvania Avenue. Restaurants and grillmasters form Oregon to North Carolina gathered to compete for coveted titles like "best ribs", "best brisket", and around 40 others. For a person who loves to eat, it was a slice of heaven.
Monday, June 29, 2009
219-212
The first week of my internship on Capitol Hill was concluded with one of the closest votes the House of Representatives has had in a long while. Needing 218 votes to pass, the White House and leaders of the Democratic party strongly advocated the "Cap and Trade" climate change/energy bill (H.R. 2454). Proponents of the bill believed that it would reduce the US's dependency on foreign oil while cleaning up the environment for future generations. Much of the opposition from conservatives arose out of the concern for the economic strain it would place on people in a recession. Also, many people are concerned that the bill's effort at cleaning up the environment will not prove to be effective because many other countries show more concern for growth in industry than they do for the environment.
After several long debates, the House finally voted on the bill late on Friday evening. For the first time in my life, I saw how many perspectives and opinions are considered before a Congressman pledges his or her vote. New and constantly changing information, party push, and a barrage of constituent phone calls and letters are taken into account before a decision is made by the Representative and their staff.
Our Congressman, Parker Griffith, voted to reflect the sentiments of his constituents and voted no the Cap and Trade Bill along with the rest of the Congressional Alabama Delegation. However, they came up a few votes short, and the Senate will likely tackle the Bill in the early fall after they complete the healthcare overhaul debates.
After several long debates, the House finally voted on the bill late on Friday evening. For the first time in my life, I saw how many perspectives and opinions are considered before a Congressman pledges his or her vote. New and constantly changing information, party push, and a barrage of constituent phone calls and letters are taken into account before a decision is made by the Representative and their staff.
Our Congressman, Parker Griffith, voted to reflect the sentiments of his constituents and voted no the Cap and Trade Bill along with the rest of the Congressional Alabama Delegation. However, they came up a few votes short, and the Senate will likely tackle the Bill in the early fall after they complete the healthcare overhaul debates.
Monday, June 22, 2009
John and Dot Lynch
Thursday night, I went to Uno Chicago Grill to watch the College World Series-- by myself. I had no idea that I would barely even get to watch another pitch when I lively couple sat down next to me at the bar.
At upwards of 80 years old, they have lived a full life. Hailing from Bethesda, Maryland, John and Dot Lynch made for one of the best impromptu dinner conversations I have ever had. John Lynch was a CPA who graduated from the University of Maryland in 1946. As soon as I told him I was an Accounting major, his eyes lit up and I barely got another word in.
Mr. Lynch has taken full advantage of the opportunities the CPA designation had given him. He practiced in Spain for 17 years, China for three years and all over Europe for seven years. He was full of advice and a strong advocate for the accounting profession. His passion for his duty as an accountant was clear and sincere. In fact, he loved work so much that he came back out of retirement because he said his whole life was out of order without it. When Dot said she didn't understand why he couldn't stop work, which he is still doing, I said that Brett Favre could certainly sympathize.
Our conversation ranged from everything to politics, culture and sports, but it kept returning to business. I asked him whether he believed there should be more or less regulation in the accounting industry which has long been a subject of debate. He put his fork down and looked me in the eyes to say, "It hurts my heart and it's against my politics but I believe there should be more regulation." He went on to explain that he wished it were different but that his experience and recent history indicated we were a dishonest people who needed strict supervision. Mr. Lynch said, "I'm by no means a 'lefty', I mean, I'm righter than Franco!" (Franco was a strict conservative dictator while the Lynch's were in Spain. I laughed at the joke but had to look up its meaning later) "But what this country needs is accountability in the worst way."
The Lynch's have seen alot. In fact, they felt obligated to apologize on behalf of their generation for leaving me and the rest of my generation to such a mess. Dot spoke of a book she read that said America could be on the brink of disaster. The book noted that all great civilizations in history moved from bondage, to religious faith, to courage, to liberty, to complacency, to apathy, and then back to bondage. Her fear was that America was in between complacency and apathy. I told them I had a great deal of respect for their generation and the courage they showed through World War II. I said it was my prayer that enough people my age would have this same conversation with their grandparents or other "Lynch's" so that we can be inspired to show them same patriotic courage and sense of responsibility.
Flattering me, they said if there was more people like me in Alabama, there may be still be hope!
The Lynch's will leave behind them an incredible legacy. They've raised two sons who were each professors in business and have three grandchildren who are their life's true joy. I doubt I will ever see John and Dot Lynch again, but I will not soon forget them.
At upwards of 80 years old, they have lived a full life. Hailing from Bethesda, Maryland, John and Dot Lynch made for one of the best impromptu dinner conversations I have ever had. John Lynch was a CPA who graduated from the University of Maryland in 1946. As soon as I told him I was an Accounting major, his eyes lit up and I barely got another word in.
Mr. Lynch has taken full advantage of the opportunities the CPA designation had given him. He practiced in Spain for 17 years, China for three years and all over Europe for seven years. He was full of advice and a strong advocate for the accounting profession. His passion for his duty as an accountant was clear and sincere. In fact, he loved work so much that he came back out of retirement because he said his whole life was out of order without it. When Dot said she didn't understand why he couldn't stop work, which he is still doing, I said that Brett Favre could certainly sympathize.
Our conversation ranged from everything to politics, culture and sports, but it kept returning to business. I asked him whether he believed there should be more or less regulation in the accounting industry which has long been a subject of debate. He put his fork down and looked me in the eyes to say, "It hurts my heart and it's against my politics but I believe there should be more regulation." He went on to explain that he wished it were different but that his experience and recent history indicated we were a dishonest people who needed strict supervision. Mr. Lynch said, "I'm by no means a 'lefty', I mean, I'm righter than Franco!" (Franco was a strict conservative dictator while the Lynch's were in Spain. I laughed at the joke but had to look up its meaning later) "But what this country needs is accountability in the worst way."
The Lynch's have seen alot. In fact, they felt obligated to apologize on behalf of their generation for leaving me and the rest of my generation to such a mess. Dot spoke of a book she read that said America could be on the brink of disaster. The book noted that all great civilizations in history moved from bondage, to religious faith, to courage, to liberty, to complacency, to apathy, and then back to bondage. Her fear was that America was in between complacency and apathy. I told them I had a great deal of respect for their generation and the courage they showed through World War II. I said it was my prayer that enough people my age would have this same conversation with their grandparents or other "Lynch's" so that we can be inspired to show them same patriotic courage and sense of responsibility.
Flattering me, they said if there was more people like me in Alabama, there may be still be hope!
The Lynch's will leave behind them an incredible legacy. They've raised two sons who were each professors in business and have three grandchildren who are their life's true joy. I doubt I will ever see John and Dot Lynch again, but I will not soon forget them.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Reconnected
It took a few days and a special visit of a tech guy here at American University, but I am finally connected to the world again through the internet.
My short tenure here in Washington has certainly been something to remember. I started out in DC battling four bags of luggage and trying to figure out the cheapest method of moving from the BWI Airport to Tenleytown where I am staying. Luckily, I found a UAB Dental School Alumni who made the trip much easier by helping me with a few cumbersome bags. He also was kind enough to navigate me to the metro station where I took a cab into the city.
I quickly discovered that people here are not as inclined to conversation as they are in the South, but instead of making the adjustment, I continue to nag people in the metro by smiling and saying, "Hi, how are you?"
Certainly, the southern accent has been detectable. I have been asked such questions as, "Do you guys still use dial-up internet down there?" To which I responded, "No, I don't reckon so. What's the internet?"
My internship starts today, so I will actually have to work now instead of go sightseeing. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill at such a momentous time.
My short tenure here in Washington has certainly been something to remember. I started out in DC battling four bags of luggage and trying to figure out the cheapest method of moving from the BWI Airport to Tenleytown where I am staying. Luckily, I found a UAB Dental School Alumni who made the trip much easier by helping me with a few cumbersome bags. He also was kind enough to navigate me to the metro station where I took a cab into the city.
I quickly discovered that people here are not as inclined to conversation as they are in the South, but instead of making the adjustment, I continue to nag people in the metro by smiling and saying, "Hi, how are you?"
Certainly, the southern accent has been detectable. I have been asked such questions as, "Do you guys still use dial-up internet down there?" To which I responded, "No, I don't reckon so. What's the internet?"
My internship starts today, so I will actually have to work now instead of go sightseeing. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill at such a momentous time.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Beginning
I depart for Washington DC on next Wednesday the 17th. A city I sadly haven't visited since the sixth grade.
My internship doesn't start until the following Monday, June 22nd, but after speaking with a few "DC veterans" I was advised to get there early and take in the city and its historical icons. As a senior in high school, I thought about majoring in history but my parents did not look upon the idea so favorably. I guess father and mother do "know best" because I couldn't be happier with my decision to major in Accounting and Economics.
However, I still believe there is a lot to gain through looking at history from both a personal and business standpoint. History certainly has a tendency to repeat itself. The practices of successful leaders in the 18th century may very well apply to my career today or in the future, so I am excited about the opportunity to indulge in the history of our nation for a few days.
This is my first blog ever so please forgive me for all its imperfections. But I do hope to keep it entertaining and informative. If anything, once you get to know me, it seems as though if anything eccentric can happen, it will happen to me. Although this concept has created a few awkward and unusual moments in the past, it always yields a pretty good story. Hopefully,we can come across one or two of these stories while I am at our nation's capital so our readers can laugh with me or at me.
If you have any questions for me at any time, please do not hesitate to email me. I will certainly do my best to give full details about the work I'm doing as well as the "DC experience."
My internship doesn't start until the following Monday, June 22nd, but after speaking with a few "DC veterans" I was advised to get there early and take in the city and its historical icons. As a senior in high school, I thought about majoring in history but my parents did not look upon the idea so favorably. I guess father and mother do "know best" because I couldn't be happier with my decision to major in Accounting and Economics.
However, I still believe there is a lot to gain through looking at history from both a personal and business standpoint. History certainly has a tendency to repeat itself. The practices of successful leaders in the 18th century may very well apply to my career today or in the future, so I am excited about the opportunity to indulge in the history of our nation for a few days.
This is my first blog ever so please forgive me for all its imperfections. But I do hope to keep it entertaining and informative. If anything, once you get to know me, it seems as though if anything eccentric can happen, it will happen to me. Although this concept has created a few awkward and unusual moments in the past, it always yields a pretty good story. Hopefully,we can come across one or two of these stories while I am at our nation's capital so our readers can laugh with me or at me.
If you have any questions for me at any time, please do not hesitate to email me. I will certainly do my best to give full details about the work I'm doing as well as the "DC experience."
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