Students Tour the Capitol Building

Form 1 students and the “We the People” IMPACT class visited the state Capitol Building on Friday to tour the building and meet with the CT Speaker of the House, Matt Ritter.

The tour began in the section of the building that opened in 1988, housing the offices of the senators and representatives and the meeting rooms. The guide pointed out the magnificent marble flooring imported from Italy, Spain, and Mexico. Much of the design includes a multi-pointed star similar to a compass, which is the symbol of the legislative offices. The design represents the elected officials from across the state who work together to govern. Additionally, the guide pointed out a modern sculpture of an eagle made of aluminum and covered in gold leaf.

Following the tour of the administrative offices, the groups headed through an underground walkway, the equivalent of two football fields, toward the Capitol building, which opened in 1878. Along the way, the guide noted the Hall of Honor, which honors Connecticut service men and women, statues commemorating Korean vets and the battle of Iwa Jima, and photos of the 65 service men and women who lost their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The students were led into the House chambers, where they met with Speaker Ritter, who explained the House’s workings. He noted that the Senate is subdued, whereas the House is raucous. “This is a wild place,” he said. People throw paper, shout, scream, and yell.”

The House comprises 151 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing nearly 22,600 residents. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits. The House floor is divided into Democrats on one side of the chamber and the Republicans on the other. Ritter jokingly shared that the center part of the room is the DMZ. He said he tries to arrange the committees in a bipartisan fashion so there are moderates and individuals from across the state with different viewpoints. “You want to have diversity on committees,” he said.

Ritter is proud of the work that the House accomplishes in a session, a far cry from the gridlock that consumes Washington, D.C. “Congress is so paralyzed,” he said. “It’s so unfortunate. You run for office; you go down to D.C., and nothing happens. We are the complete opposite.” He said that 90% of the goals in the Connecticut House are bipartisan.

Ritter encouraged the students to involve themselves in the democratic process. Even though they are too young to vote, students can still have their voices heard. He said two years ago, a class proposed a bill to name a state candy – the lollipop.

“I would say that for anyone who wants to work in the state government someday, it’s the best job,” he said. The visit ended with a literal bang as the students took turn hitting the Speaker’s gavel.