Posted on 09/26/2002 8:50:54 PM PDT by Angelwood
The DC Chapter of Free Republic, represented by staytrue, TrueReform, Taxman, tgslTakoma and Angelwood, met with Representative Bob Barr (R-Ga.) in his office in the Longworth Building today. Over the last four plus years, Rep. Barr has been a staunch defender of the Constitution and the Rule of Law, as well as a friend of Free Republic.
Rep. Barr took part in the March for Justice on October 31, 1998; he asked the FReepers to come back to Washington, D.C. for the Judgment Day Rally on the west steps of the Capitol on December 5, 1998; he was one of the 13 House Managers during the impeachment trial of William Jefferson Clinton; he saved some FReepers from a close encounter with the D.C. Police at the first White House Correspondents Dinner FReep in May of 1999; he was a guest and speaker at the Free Republic Inaugural Ball and Count the Silverware Party held to celebrate George W. Bush's inauguration as the 43rd President of the United States; and he and his staff (Kelly) arranged for the DC Chapter White House Tour after the Clintons left and honor was restored to the people's house.
Our meeting with Rep. Barr was originally scheduled for last Thursday, September 19, but a Committee meeting was called and we had to reschedule. Unfortunately, some members of the DC Chapter who had planned to attend the meeting were unable to do so on the rescheduled date.
Angelwood was the first to arrive, followed closely by tgslTakoma. We were soon joined by staytrue and took a few preliminary pictures outside Bob Barr's office. About 15 minutes before our scheduled meeting, Rep. Barr walked toward us just as Taxman and TrueReform arrived. Rep. Barr greeted us warmly with handshakes and hugs (for tgslTakoma and Angelwood) and then posed with us for pictures with the flags outside his office in the background. We took lots of photos. Then Rep. Barr invited us into his office for more conversation and photos.
One of the purposes of our visit today was to present Rep. Barr with an oversized "Thank You" card signed by the FReepers and lurkers who took part in the White House Tour on August 18, 2001. We were one of the last groups to be able to go on the White House Tour before the September 11 attacks and the changes in security that took effect thereafter.
We had planned to hand deliver our Thank You cards to Rep. Barr and the staff member (Kelly) who made the arrangements for us after Congress reconvened; but, suddenly, the U.S. was attacked, new security measures were instituted, congressional offices were sent letters containing anthrax spores, Congress shut down, Postal operations in the DC metro area were disrupted and the cards were put aside until a better time.
After all of us had signed the visitor's register, we were ushered into Rep. Barr's office. We gathered together for some group photos and Angelwood presented the huge card to Rep. Barr. He was also presented with a DC Chapter button and welcomed as an honorary member of the DC Chapter of Free Republic. We gave him some other goodies to remember us by: a DC Chapter pen and buttons saying: NEVER TRUST DEMOCRATS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY, REMEMBER 9/11, and HILLARY KNEW But She Can't Recall (that brought out a smile and laugh).
Rep. Barr opened the card and started to read the names inside. His eyes lit up and he smiled when he recognized the signature of his friend, Connie Hair. He was very appreciative of our efforts and asked us if we wanted the card to go into the Archives. We left this decision up to him.
Bob Barr told us that he would keep the card in his office until he leaves at the end of the year and he invited other metro area or visiting FReepers to stop by his office and sign the card.
Taxman, TrueReform and staytrue talked to Rep. Barr about Georgia political races and his plans for the future. During the election season, Rep. Barr is planning to campaign for other Republican candidates running in Georgia.
While talking about Free Republic, Rep. Barr mentioned the the great time he had at the Inaugural Ball and asked if any of us attended; tgslTakoma told him she had spent the entire evening manning the button table and others brought her food and drinks throughout the evening. She did remember that Rep. Barr stopped at the table to talk to everyone working there. It was fun to share such good memories of a fantastic evening.
One of the staff members kindly took some group pictures of us so tgslTakoma could be in them, too. Rep. Barr even checked the digital pictures afterwards to make sure that they all turned out OK.
We spoke with Rep. Barr about some of the upcoming events planned by the DC Chapter while he signed the pocket copies of the Constitution brought by Angelwood and tgslTakoma. He then supplied copies of the Constitution that his office hands out and signed them for Taxman, staytrue and TrueReform.
One of the first things you see upon entering Bob Barr's office (on the left hand wall) is his numbered and limited edition canvass version of the George Washington "How Would He Vote?" ad that Free Republic placed in the Washington Times on February 11, 1999 -- the day before the Senate vote on the impeachment of WJC. It is beautifully framed (each House Manager was presented with a framed copy) and is truly a magnificent work of art. Angelwood asked Rep. Barr if that framed ad would be going to the Archives. He was very quick to answer that it means a great deal to him and he is taking it with him.
The DC Chapter would like to say one last THANK YOU to Rep. Bob Barr. We will look forward to supporting him in future endeavors. We are honored by his friendship.
I was there and gave Bob Barr one of the souvenir placard (Count the Silverware) license plates designed by Registered. He had it in his hand when he made his speech that night. What a wonderful time that was.
Thank you Bob Barr!!
Angelwood, I'm in the next district over, (Isackson's district), but I've volunteered in Rep Barr's office, attended his town hall meetings, and special occasions he attended, when national Republicans came to town. He always treated local Freepers like VIPs.
You guys are wonderful for bestowing this last honor on Representative Bob Barr.
Angelwood and Staytrue greet Congressman Barr as he arrives at his office for our meeting.
Angelwood and Kelly look at the many mementoes that Congressman Barr has collected over the years.
Angelwood and Kelly - who worked together to arrange the DC Chapter White House private tour.
Angelwood also gave Kelly a thank you card, from all the FReepers who attended the White House tour.
A good man and I'm so sorry to see him and other Republicans lose their seats to more "progressive" candidates.
Angelwood invites Congressman Barr to be a guest speaker at future DC Chapter events.
Angelwood looks on as Congressman Barr answers a question about the upcoming election.
Anyone got a link to the DC Chapter's tour of the White House thread?
Congressman Barr signs a gift for Staytrue. (He gave Staytrue a copy of the US Constitution.)
08/18/2001 The date FReepers invaded the White House!!!
That thread was posted by our dear friend, CommiesOut. We do miss him.
I miss Pete very much. A good man and true.
To: Silly Every FReeper is invited by default. There is no secret list. When you see post starting with "DC Chapter ... ..." by Kristinn or Angelwood, take a look inside. There might be an invitation for FReep or some other exciting event in DC. Regards 124 Posted on 08/20/2001 11:51:59 PDT by CommiesOut
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