Democratic Freshman Orientation
Democratic Freshman Orientation
U.S. House Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA) sitting in small room, full of adult male Caucasian and African American freshmen Democrat Congressmen; adult Caucasian male cameraman, adult African American boom mic operator, and adult Caucasian male Congressional aides in BG; Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX) speaking to freshmen Congressmen regarding the role of the House of Representatives and the importance of staff and committee assignments. Rep. Wright continues speaking about the variety of requests they will receive from their constituents, and the importance of serving constituent requests and needs. American Samoa at-large delegate Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia seated next to Rep. Harold Washington (D-IL); adult Caucasian male and adult African American female aides sitting behind them.
Democratic Freshman Orientation
U.S. House Representative Jim Wright (D-TX) continues speaking to group of adult Caucasian and African American freshmen Democrat Congressmen; row of freshmen Congressmen include Tom Lantos (D-CA), Gus Savage (D-IL), and Dave McCurdy (D-OK) listening to Wright; adult Caucasian male and female camera crew filming behind them. Analog clock shows 11:25. Rep. Wright provides anecdotes on the importance of listening to constituent needs and requests; Rep. William Neff Patman (D-TX) listening.
Democratic Freshman Orientation
U.S. House Representative Jim Wright (D-TX) concludes on funny anecdote, proving the importance of listening to constituent needs; adult Caucasian male freshman Congressman listening. Group of adult Caucasian and African American male Democrat Congressmen listening, including American Samoa at-large delegate Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia (D), Rep. Harold Washington (D-IL), and Rep. Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Democratic Freshman Orientation
Adult African American male police officer standing guard at doorway, adult African American male staff members setting up luncheon inside. Adult Caucasian male speaking to someone (off camera) before walking into room. Adult Caucasian men and women walking down hallway. Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill (D-MA) speaking with middle-aged adult Caucasian man, turns and walks away; two small groups of adult Caucasian men and women gathered in hallway in FG. Three adult males, one Hispanic and two African American, walking into room together. Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-TX) walking with group of adult Caucasian men down hallway and enter luncheon room.
Democratic Freshman Orientation
Adult Caucasian female reporter interviewing U.S. House Representative William Neff Patman (D-TX). Reporter: "What are your great expectations for the 97th Congress?" Rep. Patman: "I think we'll deal with the problems of inflation, energy shortages, and national defense. Those are my hopes, and I'll certainly try to do my part." Reporter: "What have you learned in this morning's orientation session?" Rep. Patman: "Something about these traditions of the House, and things of that nature; the history. I think we're anxious to learn as much as we can, and, of course, learn the rules. How things are done." Female: "Did they give you textbooks? Did they give you a little quiz at the end? What's it like to be in on those sessions?" Rep. Patman: "Well, you really are given a lot of written material about these things. How to organize your office to respond to constituent matters. These computer systems that offices have, that sort of thing. And, in addition, how to staff your office. But, then the rules of procedure, and some of things about five thousand bills that are introduced, and the fourteen hundred that ultimately are passed this year. Things of that nature really are kind of interesting to us." Reporter: "Thank you very much. I appreciate your time, and we'll be touching base with you, I'm sure, later on in the year." Rep. Patman: "Thank you." Reporter: "Enjoy your lunch."
Democratic Freshman Orientation
Adult Caucasian female reporter interviews U.S. House Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA); Reporter: "I think the first question I want to ask is what are your great expectations for the 97th Congress?" Lantos: "Well, my great expectations, I suspect, are that we set the economy on course again, and we will restore the United States to a position of respect internationally." Reporter: "You're an economics expert, right?" Lantos: "Well, I'm an economist by profession. I don't know whether I'm an expert or not." Reporter: "What advice do you have for the Democrats, who may have to cope with some very conservative economic policies on the part of the Republicans in both the Senate and White House?" Lantos: "Well, I think it's presumptuous for freshman to offer his advice to his party, but I think it's perfectly obvious that our problems are not Democratic problems or Republican problems, but they're managerial problems. They are problems in managing an economy in a period of energy shortages. Managing an economy when many of our competitors internationally, Japan and Germany, are particularly strong, are particularly assertive. And recognizing that the role of United States, internationally, is different from what it had been historically. I think the issues will not really cut along lines of political party affiliation, but along the lines of understand what the managerial needs are." Reporter: "Tell me a little about the orientation session you just went through. What happens in those sessions?" Lantos: "Well, I must say I've learned a great deal. These have been enormously informative and pragmatic and practical, and one sort of walks away with the feeling that the few remaining dreamers and idealists in this society, who have hopes for a better future, are right here in Congress." Reporter: "Thank you very much. I appreciate you time." Lantos: "Thank you". Rep. Lantos and female reporter film additional b-roll news footage; adult Caucasian men gathered in room in BG.
Democratic Freshman Orientation
Adult Caucasian men gathered together in room where a luncheon is being hosted; adult Caucasian cameraman recording event. U.S. House Representative Harold Washington (D-IL) smoking, talking with other adult African American and Hispanic congress members; circular table in FG, set with cutlery, plates, cups, and desserts. Slices of apple pie on plates; U.S. Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Harold Washington (D-IL) among other adult Caucasian and African American men at a luncheon; adult Caucasian female reporter standing in room, adult and elderly adult Caucasian camera crew holding video camera and audio equipment.