Tallahassee Trip - The State Legislature

The New Capitol

We are starting our tour in the new capital because the legislature is in session starting at 11:00 AM. We troop through security where they scan our purses and our bodies. We do not have to remove our shoes, however, for which I am grateful. These are 4th and 5th graders after all!

We all crowd into the elevator crammed up against each other. I wonder aloud how it would be if the elevator got stuck. A few kids' eyes widen. Darcy sticks her thumb in her mouth. The parents wonder aloud if the hotel has a bar.

We enter the public viewing area of the legislature and sit down. The scene is quite impressive if you have never seen it in person. I explain to the four children next to me about what is happening. The speaker calls for a reading on the next item on the agenda. The item is read. Most of the representatives are ignoring what is going on. They are standing around talking, laughing, and yukking it up. Some are seated reading. Some are wandering around. Some woman is walking around carrying something like T'shirts, kneeling in front of representatives as if she is selling them. The speaker then puts the amendment to a vote and she has to repeat it in a stern voice as if talking to children. "Are all the votes in? Please vote now. All votes in now." Without missing a beat, still chatting or reading, the representatives move their arms and push a button. The kids are taking all of this in.

About ten minutes into our viewing a hush begins to fall over the legislature and we notice that the talking is slowly coming to a halt and all eyes are turning to the left of the room. Standing off to the side, waiting to be introduced and honored are Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer and Ryan Stamper from the University of Florida. By the time they are brought before the group, the entire room is silent. Urban Meyer, the football coach, spoke first, followed by Stamper and then Tebow. The girls in our group are perplexed, the boys thrilled. When Tebow stood at the podium and addressed the state lawmakers I got goosebumps.  I leaned over to the four girls in my row.

Me: "That young man down there? He gave up millions and millions of dollars because he could have turned pro and played in the NFL.

The girls are looking at me wide-eyed.

Darcy: "Why?"

Me: "Because he chose to stay in school to finish his education."


And our school trip to Tallahassee is off and running......