Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/230370
Annual Dinner Honors History of Senate Committee O n Tuesday, July 16, members of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's Capitol Committee gathered in the Dirksen Senate Office Building with senators and staff people serving on the Senate Committee on Finance to celebrate the Committee's long and storied history. The evening began with a reception, to which all staffers serving on the Committee were invited. Old friends and colleagues greeted each other over passed hors d'oeurves and drinks. Among the crowd were two former committee staff directors: Russ Sullivan, currently with law firm McGuireWoods, and Lawrence O'Donnell, host of "The Last Word" on MSNBC. The evening's speakers (left to right): Hon. John Breaux, The call to dinner was followed by the presentation of the Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, Hon. Trent Lott, and colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the U.S. Capi- Ranking Member Max Baucus tol Police Ceremonial Unit and Society President Hon. Ron Sarasin. After dinner, as the nearly 200 guests sipped their coffees, the remarks began. Current and former committee leadership spoke. Current Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), introduced by Sarasin, spoke about his time on the committee and emphasized the importance—and success—of bipartisan work. Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) lauded his colleagues—both Democratic and Republican—as well as the entire committee staff for their dedication to the American people. The keynote address came in two parts, delivered by former senators Hon. John Breaux and Hon. Trent Lott. Both Society Board Member Don Carlson (Pricewaterhouse Coopers) chats with Sen. John Cornyn (RBreaux and Lott focused on the importance of bipartisanship, TX) and Chairman of the Society's Board, citing it as a crucial part of the committee's essential work. Hon. Tom Coleman. The evening, while focused on the strength of relationships across the aisle and the highly influential work of the committee, was lighthearted and convivial. Banter and jokes were exchanged between political parties and, on a few notable occasions, from the podium to the dining tables. Society President and CEO Hon. Ron Sarasin and Hon. John Breaux greet Hon. Norm Dicks and Sen. Maria Cantwell (DWA) during the reception. 3 THE CAPITOL DOME Student Essay Contest The 2013-14 Making Democracy Work Student Essay Contest is going on now! Entries have started arriving and will be accepted until December 31, 2013. Help us get the word out to junior (grades 6-8) and senior (grades 9-12) high school students—prizes include a trip to Washington, DC to accept first place and cash prizes for the top three finishers in each category. Winners' schools also receive a cash prize. Like our Facebook posts and tweets, email links to teachers and students, or hand out copies of the announcement. Full information, contest rules, and entry forms are available on our website, www.uschs.org. This year's topic: the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students should consider the rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution and the corresponding duties that citizens owe 2012 Junior Division winner Omar to implement and protect Quereshi and his mother those rights for themselves and for others. How do these rights and responsibilities affect you and your family? Why is it important to be aware of your rights and responsibilities? The 2013-2014 contest is sponsored by Express Scripts. 2012 Senior Division first place winner Vaishnavi Rao accepts her award from Society Trustee Richard Holwill. FALL 2013