Emma Hopson and Sandy Barker, instructors in the nursing program at Tennessee Technology Center in Elizabethton, attended the annual First Lady's Luncheon May 10 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
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Guests of the luncheon, which was hosted by the Congressional Club, included spouses of members and former members of Congress, spouses of the current and former Speaker of the House and the White House chief of staff, members of the Supreme Court and their spouses, and members and spouses of the President's Cabinet.
Hopson and Barker were guests of Joyce Davis, wife of Tennessee Representative David Davis and a recent graduate of the TTC nursing program.
"The school was very supportive to allow both of us to be out at the same time. They pulled another instructor in for clinicals," said Hopson.
The theme of this year's luncheon was "Soul of the South," and guests were treated to Alabama goat cheese salad, cinnamon smoke roasted supreme of chicken and hummingbird cake.
"It was very nice, and it was a happy, festive atmosphere," said Barker. "They had the military band there and they celebrated the South in honor of the First Lady. It was very nice for us, since we're from the South."
"Every aspect of the trip was fascinating," said Hopson. "It was the first time in history that a dignitary, which was Nancy Pelosi's husband, walked down the catwalk with a female Marine."
Pelosi is the first woman ever to become Speaker of the House. Ordinarily the female spouse of a dignitary is escorted by a male Marine.
"Going to the First Lady's Luncheon and seeing everybody dressed up in the beautiful suits -- it's a girl thing to be able to enjoy the food and the elegance," said Hopson. "We studied on the way to the dinner, so we wouldn't embarrass anybody. We felt like the Beverly Hillbillies, being really careful to do everything right, but it was very laid back.
"The interesting thing was, it was both parties. That was the whole purpose, to put everything aside and have both parties come together and have fellowship. There were no party lines, and it was so beautiful to have the table cloths, the flowers and the tasteful entertainment. It was an exceptional, upbeat party to go to. Very patriotic."
The United States Marine Corps Band played "The President's Own," which was followed by introduction of distinguished guests, a welcome and the singing of the national anthem. Then First Lady Laura Bush spoke about her project to rebuild libraries in the Gulf Coast states that were devastated by hurricanes in recent years. The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries has created the Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative.
Mrs. Bush related how some children from the Katrina disaster had saved their books because of the influence of a special librarian. She also paid tribute to the military and their families for their sacrifices.
The Congressional Club presented Mrs. Bush with a handbound, custom leather genealogy book of her Welch family history. Entertainment included a performance by American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
While in Washington, Barker and Hopson toured the Capital and the Cannon office building where the Representatives' offices are located, and were introduced to multiple elected leaders and dignitaries. They were treated to a private tour of the Capital with Christian author and historian David Barton.
"He named all the people who signed the Declaration of Independence, and gave their individual histories," said Hopson. "He told about how 27 of them had been ministers. He had the research, the original documents and letters."
"Barton had some of the original letters, and he had a trunk full of documents," said Barker. "He's the one they have to come and speak before the Supreme Court when they need someone who has the history and the legal documents."
Mrs. Davis gave her former instructors a tour of the White House, providing them with more historical facts and relating her personal experiences as a guest of the White House.
"The security was amazing," said Hopson. "We got to go into the House chamber and watch them arguing about Homeland Security. It was extremely interesting to see the inner workings of Washington, and to see it through the eyes of someone who is new there. They take them to classes to teach them things."
"David Davis had nine different places he had to be," said Barker. "We got to eat in the Congressional Dining Room and [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi walked right in front of us. There were stars up on this board telling them when they were getting ready to vote, so Davis ordered his food and then went out to vote, because he's there for all the votes. When he came back, then he could eat.
"Even with all those places he had to be, he was so gracious and very kind. Sometimes they work until 1:30 in the morning. He comes home every weekend and does functions here to help us and he's back up there every Monday. They drive every weekend."
"You should see [the Davises] working together. They just somehow manage. It's like spokes in a wheel," added Hopson.
"She goes with him now," said Barker. "She did work part-time at the hospital here, but it got to be too much. She's already involved in things in D.C. too. She's so supportive.
"Their daughter, Rachel, just graduated from high school, and she had two friends that came to the luncheon. When we went to do a tour of the Capital, her friends went to the mall but she said she wanted to stay and be with her mom.
"The Davises are so supportive of our area and they are wonderful people," Barker said. "Here are some people we know that have real strong convictions and take it very seriously that they are a part of history in the making. They are very supportive of the president."
"Every school kid should take a tour of Washington," said Hopson. "In every function I go to now, it's even more important to me now that people pull their hats off or put their hand on their heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. You get a greater sense of history and what it means to be an American after going there.
"It was one of the most meaningful things in my life. I want my daughter to go and see something like this, because this is one of those special events that just doesn't happen very often."
By Steve Burwick
Elizabethton Star Staff
sburwick@starhq.com