Chairman Norm Dicks, D-Wash., told of having dinner with the actor in 2003. “It was a highlight of my career, actually,” he said, before adding that when Ryan Zimmerman hit his walk-off home run to christen Nationals Park on Sunday, “you had to think of Roy Hobbs and ‘The Natural.’ ”

Ranking member Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., noted that after seeing Redford in “The Electric Horseman,” “I went out and bought a new pair of boots and wore them out.” He then pointed out that his wife, Vicki, was on her way, “and I assure you it has nothing to do with Robert Redford being here today.”

Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., said, “I, to this day, have not forgiven Robert Redford for leaving Barbra Streisand [in ‘The Way We Were’]. How could he?” But, Shays noted, at least he had the sense to stick around for Glenn Close in “The Natural.” (He must have been very proud of the joke because he also told it at a pre-hearing breakfast.)

Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Ky., even thanked Redford for employing his cousin at the Sundance Film Festival.

But it’s not all roses when you’re Redford. Sometimes, you’re mistaken for your longtime friend and co-star, Paul Newman. Redford told the panel about being approached in a restaurant recently by a man who said what a big fan he was and thanked him for his work. “But really, what we enjoy most of all is your salad dressing,” the man said.

Redford conceded that growing up in Los Angeles, he was “classified as a problematic child … or dumb,” until a teacher recognized his artistic prowess and asked him to show his drawings to the class every day.

He even said he was happy to have redeemed himself in the eyes of congressman Shays. “It’s very curious that he didn’t mention my films with Jane Fonda,” he quipped.

Redford had other business in town as well. He was seen in the Four Seasons lobby with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.