The first day of the session is for renewing acquaintances among colleagues  – even though our last time together was in August for the slots special session, instead of April.

It’s also the first day that I receive my bill requests in the form suitable for introduction and first reading.  Nine to be exact.

And it’s also a day for family – my mother, two brothers, and sister-in-law.  If one of your brothers bears a striking resemblance to you, there are startled looks from fellow delegates and more than a few photos taken.

But we were also reminded why we’re here.

Congressman Steny Hoyer read to us this quote from British legislator Edmund Burke:

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.