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HOH’s One-Minute Recess: Welcome Wagon

Newly elected Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) was welcomed into office Wednesday with a special gift from the other members of her delegation.

Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R), Dave Reichert (R), Norm Dicks (D) and Doc Hastings (R) all gathered in Beutler’s new space in the Longworth House Office Building to present her with a piece of art. Turns out that the Washington delegation has a tradition of giving its newest member a painting to hang in his office.

The painting, first purchased by former Rep. Joel Pritchard (R) in 1972, is of a tiny chick standing next to a broken eggshell. In total it has been given to 21 Members, each of whom dates and signs the back.

“The idea is that this is a bright new creature that is part of the delegation,” said Dicks, who signed the painting in 1977.

Beutler took the opportunity to poke fun at Dicks, the longest-serving member of the delegation.

“I’d like to point out, Norm, that when you signed this I had yet to take my first breath,” she joked.

While the painting certainly has sentimental value for the delegation, they were quick to admit that it wasn’t exactly fit to be hung in a museum.

“I think everyone else who has had it has hidden it in their garage,” Reichert cracked.

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