Wilson Announces U.S. House Floor Tours

Today, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has opened up the House Floor of the U.S. Capitol to staff-led tours for the first time since September 11, 2001. Tours will begin on January 12, 2004, and will continue on a trial basis. "I am so pleased to invite South Carolinians to the House Floor," said Rep. Wilson. "The House Floor is an exciting and historic place, where our nation's laws have been debated and voted upon, and where the President makes his State of the Union Address every year." South Carolinians wishing to visit the House Floor during their visit to Washington, D.C. must contact Micki Howard at 202-225-2452. Tours are available 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, while the U.S. House of Representatives is out of session. Appointments for tours will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis. During dates while the House is in session, visitors are able to view the House Floor from the House Galleries above. The Washington, D.C. office of the Second District is also able to schedule staff-led tours of the U.S. Capitol. Also, information regarding other attractions and historic sites in the nation's capital are available through the internet at https://joewilson.house.gov. Until 1857, the U.S. Representatives met in a U.S. Capitol room now called the National Statuary Hall. Due to an increasing number of Congressmen arriving from newly admitted states, new House and Senate wings were added to the U.S. Capitol. On December 16, 1857, the House met for the first time on the current House Floor.###