Moody on the Hill

I know what you are thinking. Everyone is moody on the hill. There is nothing but endless bickering and partisan politics inside this building where so much history has been made. However that's not what this blog is about. Well maybe it's a little bit about that, I don't know I haven't written it yet.

Actually Moody on the Hill seemed like a great headline, because I'm talking about Jim Moody. He spent several years on the hill as a member of Congress from the Milwaukee area. He spent the other night giving me and a small group assembled by Junior Acheivement of the National Capitol Area a personal tour of the Capitol.
It seemed like a great reason to stay up past my bedtime. Moody is pictured to the right here. He is a former professor, and he brought those skills with him. It was a real education on a building, government, history and the architecture and art you'll find here at the Capitol.

The former Congressman knows so much about the building. He didn't just walk us around, he showed us the Capitol through the eyes and awe of a young member of Congress arriving for the first time. He walked us into the Speakers office and told us what it was like to walk into the room for the first time.

The year was 1982. Among the members of the freshman class, now Senator Dick Durbin and Senator John McCain. Moody said he would never forget the final words from Speaker Tip O'Neill. The longtime Massachusetts lawmaker warned the newly elected members of Congress that if they weren't prepared to be the most ethical, the most moral, the most upstanding citizens of their district then their lives would be miserable here. Moody elaborated.
To boil it down, Tips Tip was this: "If you were to do something wrong, commit some small offense, chances are it wouldn't end up in the newspaper, but that changes when you come here."

Throughout the years some members haven't listened to that message. They bring shame to these hallowed halls. and get all the negative press. It doesn't take long for the public to issue the call "Throw the rascals out." But for the most part these are honorable, hard working committed men and women who want to serve their country. They may have their disagreements, but both Republicans and Democrats were in the chamber debating late into the night. The days begin early, and trail off into the night. You would have to love your country to want to do this job. It's apparent that Moody did, and still does. His tour lasts about two hours. It is a glimpse behind the scenes, in sections of the Capitol most of us will never see. But more importantly it's a glimpse into the heart and soul of a man who served his country well. A man who still loves his country, and this wonderful insititution.