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| Possible future Senate President? (Alex) |
After spending much of our time exploring government at the federal level (after all, D.C. is the federal city!), yesterday the students of the St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2015 took a closer look at state government through a visit to the Maryland State House and a Q & A with Maryland Delegate James Gilchrist.
After hearing a presentation on the Maryland legislative process -- our students were fascinated to learn that the Maryland legislature is only in session for 90 days each year -- we received a tour of the State House. Our timing was excellent, as years of renovation of the historic Old Senate Chamber (where General George Washington resigned his military commission), ended this past Monday and our group was able to explore it. A particular hit was the statue of George Washington that marked the precise spot on which Washington stood while addressing the Continental Congress* to give up his commission (*not a typo! Maryland's state house also served as the Nation's Capital from 1783 - 1784). (See the first three photos below)
After our tour, we were lucky enough to have a private Q&A session with an elected Maryland State legislator, Delegate James Gilchrist, who represents Rockville and Gaithersburg in Montgomery County. Our future public servants had an array of excellent questions about the legislative process, Maryland politics, and the state-federal relationship.
We ended the day with some time to explore historic Annapolis. A small and especially patriotic group even visited the U.S. Naval Academy, where we observed the Noon Meal Formation of the midshipmen (the newest class of midshipmen, aka Plebes, have been at the Naval Academy for about a week and a half -- we thought their marching skills were excellent!). All in all, it was a great day for SPS '15 to explore another nearby capital city.
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| In the Old Senate Chamber (from left: Maya, Elizabeth, Mary, Allie) |
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| With the George Washington Statue in the Old Senate Chamber (from left: Nico, Liam, Christian, Caroline, and Ethan) |
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| Will has got that "father of his country" look down! (From left: Will, Harrison, Liam, Christian) |
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| Getting a photo in the House of Delegates Chamber at the Maryland State House |
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| During our Tour of the Senate Chamber at the Maryland State House |
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| The Tiffany Skylight is worth craning your neck a bit to take a look! |
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| SPS '15 on our tour of the Maryland State House |
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| Our host at the Maryland Statehouse, Delegate James Gilchrist |
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| Nico, Blake, and Harrison |
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| With Delegate Gilchrist on the steps of the Maryland State House |
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| Midshipmen during the Noon Meal Formation at the U.S. Naval Academy (see below for video) |
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| SPS Faculty Members Ms. Sam, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Jacks in front of Bill the Goat, the Naval Academy Mascot |
