Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 5 · column 1 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
Curiously, my first action on
the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates occurred during the Model General Assembly of 1988. Through the annual work of the YMCA, we high school students from across Virginia were able to organize ourselves into a replica of the regular House of Delegates, sit in the large plush chairs, with the great seal of Virginia emblazoned on the thick brown leather, and pass legislation just like our elders. Portraits of past Speakers of the House surrounded us as we deb'!*erated in the ancient chamber. At that time, I could hardly imagine that one day I would return to the oldest ongoing legislative body in the New World as a bone fide, elected member.
In November of last year, the voters of the 15th district honored me by electing me to serve as their delegate. Fate, however, would deny me-at least temporarily-the longawaited opportunity to sit in one of those chairs in the State Capitol, first constructed in 1788. The Capitol is undergoing a major renovation and as a result the General Assembly will meet in temporary, somewhat cramped quarters in the old Libraiy of Virginia building, renamed as the Patrick Heniy Building. It is just as well though. I don’t think any of us should ever get too comfortable down here.
Wednesday (January 11) was swearing in day. It was a thrilling moment for my parents who were in attendance as
93.5%