Washington, DC - [1] Capitol Hill

The following photos were taken over 2 seperate day trips to Washington (from New York). The first in late April, and the second last week. The trip in April was on a beautiful (but HOT) spring day with clear skies, while the more recent trip was on an unbearably hot (90+ degrees F), yet overcast day. So my aplogies if all the photos don't match so well.

All of the following pics were taken on Capitol Hill, mostly focusing on the Capitol and the House of Representatives and Senate Office Buildings.

Enjoy...

The Capitol
The final stages of a major capitol construction project (new capitol visitors center/plaza) are currently finishing up





























On my recent trip, I was in Washington with a national lobbying organization, and recieved exclusive access to the Senate side of the capitol. I was only able to snap a few shots before security firmly told me to stop. The photos aren't of such great quality, but they show some of the beautiful details of the interior of the capitol. After taking these photos, I was privileged to eat lunch in the Senate Dining Room (complete with Senators). Afterwards, In the very hallway that these photos were taken, I brushed shoulders with Vice President Dick Cheney leaving the day's Senate seesion.











The view from the Capitol:





Library of Congress
The second largest library in the world (in number of volumes) just behind the British Library







United States Supreme Court





Navigating the streets of Capitol Hill





The House and Senate Office Buildings
These buildings surround the Capitol and house (no pun intended) the offices of the Congressmen and Senators and their staff.



















Cannon House Office Building
This is the oldest of the House of Representatives office buildings. Upon entering the building there is a beautiful rotunda:





The Capitol Tunnels
All of the House and Senate office buildings are connected to each other and the Capitol through a series of underground tunnels (and a private Capitol subway system, which I didn't have time to visit):













An underground rotunda in between the Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings:




The menu in one of the House of Representative Dining Rooms:


One of the many comittee rooms located througout the office buildings. This particular comittee room is in the Cannon House Office Building:




Hallways in the House Office Buildings:




An interior Courtyard of the Rayburn House Office Building:


Staircase in the Rayburn House Office Building:




Staircase in the Cannon House Office Building:


GOD BLESS AMERICA
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