Almanac: At the Capitol

This is the group photo from the 20th Century Senators Statehood Reunion. It was a fabulous night full of icons, giants and lots and lots of laughs. There was a wonderful bi-partisan spirit and pride for making Minnesota one of the best places to live. Many members said they missed the people, not the process. The tone was loose which says a lot for the Senate which is known for its strict rules and upper chamber philosophy. But my father, former longtime AP Capitol reporter, was part of a segment on the lack of decorum like the night a senator said the f-word on the floor and it made national news. Geno (that's what everyone calls my dad including me) had to call the desk in New York who put that on the national wire.

There were 3 senators standing who served in the 1960s. And the last-standing reporter was the legendary Betty Wilson who at 80-something absolutely floored me when she said she's reads my blog daily! She is a hoot. Betty was a trailblazer for women covering the Capitol. Most senators said the biggest change in the chamber was women. They didn't even have a women's bathroom, it just said "reserved for senators" and that meant men. So when the first female senator was elected they had to build her a bathroom out of a janitor's closet.

Finally, in an evening full of touching moments one of the most memorable was the presentation to an ailing Secretary of the Senate Pat Flahaven. He was thin but cheerful and everyone hopes to see him back at the Capitol.