WASHINGTON Ryan gets his feet wet

He received some extra attention thanks to his predecessor's legacy.
By DAVID ENRICH
STATES NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON -- Until Tuesday, Timothy J. Ryan had not walked the marble halls of the Capitol since his days as an intern for ex-Rep. James A. Traficant Jr.
After being elected last week to represent Ohio's 17th District in Congress, Ryan is back in Washington -- this time in a more glamorous role.
"I was carrying flags around for constituents the last time I was here, so it's pretty cool," Ryan, a Democrat from Niles, said Tuesday after attending the opening orientation session for freshmen lawmakers.
Ryan's flight into Washington arrived late Monday, and he was one of the few members who had not yet received his government-issued mobile phone and pager when he showed up for orientation Tuesday morning. He didn't even have a name tag.
"Everyone thinks I'm a staffer," the 29-year-old Ryan quipped.
Orientation session
After acquiring an official congressional name tag and electronic gear, Ryan got down to business, mingling with the other 49 newly elected members and listening to veteran lawmakers explain how to set up a congressional office.
Before Tuesday's orientation session began, the freshmen waited in a cavernous conference room in the Cannon House Office Building. Hordes of reporters and television cameras surrounded some new members -- like Katherine Harris, the former Florida secretary of state who helped George W. Bush carry the state in the 2000 election.
Ryan sat by himself, munching on a muffin, sipping juice, and examining his new pager. He eventually struck up a conversation with Mike Rogers, a newly elected conservative Republican from Alabama.
Predecessor
Ryan received extra attention thanks to his predecessor's legacy. At least one passer-by eagerly introduced himself to Ryan after realizing that he was Traficant's replacement.
In a presentation to the incoming lawmakers, Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo., chairman of the House ethics committee, warned of the ethical pitfalls facing members of Congress, and cited the case of Traficant, who this summer became the fifth lawmaker ever expelled from Congress.
"I think the basic thing is keeping your congressional business congressional and your campaign account political, and trying really not to mix the two," Ryan said. "The signal to me is pay very close attention -- make sure you don't make mistakes and do things that are stupid."
Ryan, one of the youngest members of the incoming class of lawmakers, said he encountered another 29-year-old representative-elect in a restroom during a break in the orientation session.
"It was kind of funny," Ryan said. "It's cool. I think it helps the institution to have young people in here bringing new ideas. And I think especially right now with the Democratic Party really starting to rebuild itself, or really craft a new message, or a crisper message, that I can be of some help."
Seeking committee seat
Ryan said he remains optimistic that he can secure a seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He noted that no Ohio Democrats serve on the panel and that it has several vacancies.
But seats on the committee are among the most sought-after in Congress, because the panel authorizes billions of dollars in federal spending on highway and other infrastructure projects in the states.
Traficant, a Democrat, sat on the transportation committee until he voted for a Republican for House Speaker, prompting Democratic leaders to refuse to seat him on any committees.