WASHINGTON -- Arkansas' newest members of Congress counted down the hours Monday as they showed family around the city, unpacked and reflected on being sworn into office today.
The 114th Congress convenes at noon. U.S. Reps.-elect French Hill and Bruce Westerman and U.S. Sen.-elect Tom Cotton will join the rest of the delegation in taking the oath of office Tuesday, a day full of receptions, press interviews and photo opportunities.
Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, said his staff and family spent a whirlwind few days unpacking boxes and setting up his office. Then his children, wife and 89-year-old father toured Smithsonian Institution museums, the National Archives and other sites, he said.
But Monday was a time to reflect, Hill said.
Amid settling on routines and procedures with his new staff, many of whom worked for Hill's predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, Hill said he was taking time to contemplate his new job.
"As I sit here in my office [Monday], I'm thinking about all those citizens in central Arkansas that want a better future for their country and want an economy that's growing faster and more job opportunities and a government that's effective and responsive and limited," he said. "I'm just humbled by that prospect. It's a very thoughtful day."
Hill said he wants his office to be a place where he can reflect on history.
His office is full of artifacts: a fist-size chunk of the Berlin Wall; a photo of his father-in-law, who helped liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp in World War II; four commissions for him to work for both Presidents Bush; and a handful of busts of politicians, including British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Theodore Roosevelt.
"People need to be reflective, and they need to be mindful of history when they are in a job like serving in Congress," Hill said. "So this office kind of is an anchor to me, [where Hill can be] reflective of those who've come before us."
The Capitol and its multiple office buildings were starting to regain their bustle Monday, with tour groups crowding pathways, new staff members learning routes through the winding corridors and Capitol police officers making a final attempt at recognizing new members on sight. Hallways were lined with old office furniture, moving boxes and packing materials.
In the office of Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs, furniture and computers were in place, but few decorations had been placed other than photos of his four children and spouse, Sharon. He said his staff got the office keys Saturday. He and his family arrived in the city Sunday.
Against one wall leaned Westerman's framed Masters of Forestry Degree from Yale University. One bookshelf was stocked with forestry and physics books he took from his engineering office in Hot Springs. In a corner, a black briefcase bag from his time in the Arkansas House was slightly crumpled.
Westerman said his last day before getting to work was focused on giving his children and parents a tour of Washington, including the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum and the Museum of National History. His wife and oldest son were the only family members who had been to Washington before.
"They are trying to see as many sights as they can, and I was somewhat of a tour guide," he said.
Westerman said he's been reflecting on his new job for months. The former Arkansas House Republican Leader compared reciting the oath of office to taking wedding vows.
"It's a serious thing. You're standing in front of a lot of people promising that you are going to do this," he said. "I don't see how somebody couldn't take that seriously."
Cotton's temporary office space, located off of a brick-walled basement hallway in the Russell Senate Office Building, has a small office for the senator, a conference room and two windows to let in natural light. New senators often have to wait as long as six months before being assigned an office. Until then, some have small spaces or are housed in trailers in Capitol parking lots.
Cotton's staff waited for computers to be set up in their temporary office Monday while the Dardanelle Republican took friends and family on tours of the Capitol building and National Archives.
"I had a good walk around most of the capital [Monday]" showing visitors around, he said.
Monday evening he planned to spend time with family and friends.
Cotton's parents made the trip, as did his sister, her husband and three children, and his in-laws. He said friends and supporters from college and the military also came.
"It's a great reunion from all stages of life," he said.
Having a staff in place has made the transition to the Senate easier than when he joined the U.S. House in 2013, he said.
Cotton said he had time over the holidays to take stock and contemplate joining the Senate. He said reciting the oath is a reminder of the seriousness of the job.
"It's a great privilege and honor. It's a solemn moment because you are swearing before God to do the very best for your fellow citizens," Cotton said.
Metro on 01/06/2015