Inside the Beltway

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Lawmaker's license

A newcomer to Capitol Hill, a Republican freshman congressman from Texas, is concerned that his congressional colleagues are not as well-versed on the U.S. Constitution as they ought to be as representatives of the American people.

So Rep. K. Michael Conaway has introduced a resolution that, if approved when voted on in September, would require every member of Congress and each person on their staff to read the Constitution at least once per year.

The Constitution is a relatively short document -- about 2,500 words -- not an "onerous task" by any means to consume, the congressman points out.

Republicans, in comparison, couldn't wait to digest the 75,000-or-so words of "Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry," and Democrats the 80,000 words of Michael Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country?"

Before Mr. Conaway was elected to Congress in 2004, he was a certified public accountant. He still maintains his license, which for renewal requires him to participate in 40 hours of continuing professional education each year.

He feels the standards should be no different for congressmen.

Take a lesson

That was golf legend Jack Nicklaus on Capitol Hill yesterday telling congressmen that positive behaviors are like the game of golf and are based upon these nine values: honesty, responsibility, respect, judgment, courtesy, perseverance, integrity, confidence and sportsmanship.