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Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Welcome to Washington

January 7 was the first day of business for the 108th session of Congress. Families and friends packed into the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., as lawmakers were sworn into office.

The House of Representatives has 435 members; 54 will be new to their jobs. A record 22 Hispanics will be serving in this session, including two brothers from Florida and two sisters from California.

Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, took the job of House Minority Leader. She is the first woman to lead a political party in Congress. "We need to govern in new ways," she said.

The 100-member Senate has 11 new members. Republican Bill Frist of Tennessee will lead his party in the Senate. Frist took over after Mississippi Senator Trent Lott gave up the job. Frist is a heart surgeon. No wonder he spoke of "healing" the country.

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