Independence Day arcana
Members of Congress don’t just get a long weekend this year. They get a whole long week, thanks to the congressional recess. So we canvassed the Hill and asked how they’ll be spending their time Saturday as America celebrates its 233rd birthday.
The most common Independence Day activity of the enterprising elected official? Parades. Nearly every House member we spoke with will be marching in some parade or other. Our favorite? The annual Ancients and Horribles Parade in Chepachet, R.I., where Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will march. (The name stems from Rhode Islanders making fun of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, the country’s oldest military organization.) That barely beats out the Sweetcorn Parade in East Prairie, Mo., which is where Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will spend her Fourth.
A spokesman for Republican Rep Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represents Eastern Washington state, says her Fourth festivities usually include a boat parade, along with a “big ole barbecue.”
“The congresswoman loves watching fireworks and celebrating America,” said the spokesman, seemingly to drive the point home.
Two congressmen who will be keeping a lower profile are Republican Reps. Bob Inglis and Gresham Barrett from South Carolina, where embattled Gov. Mark Sanford is trying to hold on to his job. Inglis, who has said Sanford should stay, will be spending time with his parents in South Carolina, while Barrett, who believes Sanford should go, will be with his family on the state’s Litchfield Beach.
Some prominent senators are also keeping a lower profile. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will be hanging with his family in Northern Arizona. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., will be observing the Sabbath all day Saturday. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., will be at home, recuperating from his recent hospital stay.
Following his slate of parades, Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., is heading to Dodger Stadium. “I love a big Dodger Dog,” he tells us. “Not a little one, a big one.”
For uniqueness, it’s hard to beat Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii. He’ll be celebrating “Turtle Independence Day” on the Big Island. The Mauna Lani hotel, where his son is the cultural director, hatches and raises endangered Hawaiian sea turtles; every year on the Fourth of July, they release a bunch into the wild.
And freshman Rep. Dan Maffei, D-N.Y., has a curveball as well. Saturday happens to be his 41st birthday, and he’ll be doing what any other red-blooded, blue-stated American would do: play miniature golf at the country’s oldest minigolf course.
Some members, such as Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and Sen. Mark Udall, will sling the grub. Bachmann is volunteering at a Veterans of Foreign Wars pancake breakfast, while Udall will serve pancakes on the Santa Fe Plaza.
Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., will be returning to D.C. to participate in the festivities on the West Lawn of the Capitol.
Which brings us to Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh. Her spokesman says she’s fond of going to the White House grounds for fireworks, and hopes to again. But not before marching in the annual Palisades Parade with her colleagues Jack Evans and Council Chairman Vincent Gray.
Not so for at-large Councilman Kwame Brown. He’s skipping the Palisades this year in favor of a family reunion, where he’s going to teach his kids how to swim, ride a bike and light sparklers.
