Boy Scout Troop 349 Meets Sen. Webb on Trip to Capitol

By STEVEN VALLEY
Special to the Falls Church Times

Members of Falls Church City Boy Scout Troop 349 met with U.S.  Senator James Webb last week as part of a full-day trip to the U.S. Capitol, where they also were treated to a special guided tour by former Kansas Rep. Nancy Boyda.

As part of their meeting with Webb, the Scouts had an opportunity to ask questions on history and civics which will help them achieve the “Citizenship in the Nation” merit badge.

Congresswoman Boyda told the Scouts famous stories regarding construction of the Capitol, including a less-known account of the building’s “doors to nowhere.”  The boys  learned about various portraiture on the Capitol walls and how the rotunda fresco of the “Apotheosis of George Washington” was commissioned and painted.  The Scouts saw House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office and viewed the Mall from the private Speakers Balcony.

While touring the Capitol the troop saw several Members of Congress, including Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, who was being interviewed by CNN, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the 2008 Republican nominee for President.

The Scouts ended their tour in the Senate gallery observing an open session on health care reform and other day-to-day Congressional business.

Troop 349 is open to any boy between 12 and 18 who has graduated from the fourth grade or received his Arrow of Light award.  Boys desiring to join the troop are welcome to attend a meeting and present themselves to the Scout Master for admission.  Troop 349 meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. from September to June at the American Legion Hall on Oak Street in Falls Church City.  Additional information is available at www.troop349.us.