Keyword: Congress
Where to see the Capitolists — at work, at play, at peace

By Theodore Fischer, Washington Sidewalk

The Capitol: The building where Congress works (top and left) – correctly spelled with an "o" – is open to the public nearly every day of the year. Take a guided or self-guided tour, or just go in and walk around like you owned the joint. You have to visit the office of your senator (in buildings north of the Capitol) and representative (in buildings south of the Capitol) to obtain free gallery passes for their chambers. Hold on to the passes: You can use them for unlimited admission until the end of the 105th Congress, on Jan. 3, 1999.

Congressional Cemetery: Founded in 1807, this tranquil plot in the southeast corner of the Capitol Hill neighborhood used to be the official congressional burial ground. Today, it's the only place in town where you can find 90 members of Congress – 70 from the House and 20 from the Senate – who can keep their mouths shut.

Library of Congress: It's the biggest library in the world, with more than 16 million books, but you have to win a seat in Congress to check out any of them. The public is invited to take tours, view exhibits, attend events and, after obtaining a user card by presenting a driver's license or a passport, consult books and other materials.

Congressional hangouts, Senate side:
• Monocle. This Capitol Hill mainstay offers frequent senatorial sightings and solid American fare.
• Kelly's Irish Times. Nonpartisan and really not all that Irish.
• Capitol View Club. A real membership club by day, with Senate bean soup and views of the Capitol dome.

Congressional hangouts, House side:
• Bullfeathers. Staffers in suits plus the odd member of Congress in an establishment named for Teddy Roosevelt's favorite expletive.
• Capitol Lounge. Bargain drafts for Hill staffers and interns.
• Tune Inn. A basic dive where Hillies mingle with neighborhood denizens.

Capitol Steps: The satirical sextet (four men and two women) of former congressional staffers performs regularly at Chelsea's in Georgetown. The troupe's name comes from a notorious trysting place of former Rep. John Jenrette (D-S.C.) and his then wife, future Playboy model Rita Jenrette. If that's not down and dirty enough, check out the Gross National Product's scandal tours (202-783-7212).

Congressional Medal of Honor: A list of the 3,000 recipients of America's highest military award for bravery is posted in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon.

Congressional Country Club, 8500 River Rd., Bethesda: Opened in 1923 and the site of the 1997 U.S. Open, the exclusive golf club was conceived by Indiana congressmen Oscar Bland and O.R. Luhring as a place where legislators could putter around with area business leaders. Congressional's first president was Herbert Hoover – before he was the nation's president.

Congress Heights/Congress Park: These southeast D.C. neighborhoods are just south of St. Elizabeth's Hospital (originally the U.S. Government Insane Asylum), the current home of John Hinckley (who attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan) and the former residence of poet Ezra Pound.

Congressional namesakes: Congressional Plaza (plus North Congressional Plaza and Congressional South), Rockville Pike and Halpine Road, Rockville; Congressional Liquors, 404 First St. S.E., D.C.; Congressional Exxon of Capitol Hill, Second Street and Massachusetts Avenue N.E., D.C.; Congressional Tan Club, 1922 I Street N.W.; and many others.