ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 8, 1997 TAG: 9702100048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITER
THESE DAYS,it seems a lot easier to be distinguished in Virginia. Some legislators have complained that the assembly spends too much time recognizing visitors.
There's a holy ground in the Virginia Senate, decorated in lush, blood-red carpeting. It spans the chamber floor from the swinging glass doors to the president's dais, and is closely guarded by the sergeant-at-arms.
And unless you're a senator or aide, there's only one way to get there: an official vote on the Senate floor declaring you a "distinguished person."
That used to mean former-governor or decorated-war-hero distinguished, veteran members say.
But today, we're talking makes-one-heck-of-a-sandwich distinguished.
Or, rather, related to a guy who made one heck of a sandwich but is now dead.
You could make a good movie, like Ken Burns, the public television documentary filmmaker. That's distinguished enough. He not only was granted access to the Senate floor but got to speak from the lieutenant governor's chair. You could win an Olympic medal - a silver will do - or be Miss Virginia.
While members of the General Assembly begin each day by welcoming dozens of friends and constituents in the gallery above, it's always been a select bunch who can actually tread on the chamber floor.
But these days it seems that a good, solid, respectable career as an otherwise average Virginian is about all it takes. A relative of one who died? That's fine, too.
Don't worry, there's no shortage of true distinction across the Old Dominion, just a little lower standard in assessing it on the Senate floor.
Veteran legislators have started to take notice. And while none want to question the distinction of anyone in particular, bringing people on the floor saps a lot of the legislature's time. Maybe too much, these days.
"I think maybe we've gone a little too far with it, yes," said Shawsville Sen. Madison Marye, a 26-year incumbent.
"You've got to learn to say `no' sometimes," added Sen. Richard Holland, an 18-year veteran from Isle of Wight County. "We're talking about everyone's time."
The Senate has held 23 sessions this year, and distinguished people were invited to almost half - sometimes two a day. It's considered a courtesy to individual legislators. If some outstanding person lives in their district, they get to mug with them on the Senate floor.
Two-thirds of the members have to vote to allow outsiders in, and no one ever objects. But maybe someone should soon, numerous members say privately.
"It used to be you had to be a Nobel Prize winner or something," said Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, president of the Senate. "It's certainly gotten a lot more relaxed."
Most of the talk started last week when a Patrick County dog catcher came into the chamber. The Senate clerk started reading a resolution commending him.
"Whereas animal theft is a national problem, with many families' treasured pets being used for laboratory research, ending up in 'puppy mills' or being used for dogfighting," it began.
And on it continued, extolling the dog catcher and the value of identifying dog tattoos.
Floor leader Richard Saslaw, a Fairfax County Democrat, turned his back to the proceedings and wrapped his hands around his face.
"Can you believe this?" he mouthed quietly to his colleagues.
"You'd have thought he was getting a congressional medal of honor," one senator said.
Then Beyer chimed in: "To all the families whose pets you've saved, thank you," he said. The stifled laughs nearly burst everyone's neckties.
No one questioned the value of the man's contributions to Virginia.
"There's nothing wrong with bringing people in here who've done good things," Beyer said. "I hope it reinforces the perception that this is an open, accessible place, that people's good deeds are valued in here."
The complaints, rather, were over the amount of time such things drain away. Members already spend half an hour or more introducing people in the Senate gallery or opining on the events of the day.
The Senate passed the state budget Thursday - and it didn't take as long as the day's introductions of visitors.
After 45 minutes, Marye took notice.
"Mr. President," Marye began, "if there's possibly anyone in the gallery who has not been introduced, would you please offer them our sincerest welcome?"
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Everybody seems to be having a good time on theby CNBHouse floor Friday as Del. Alan Diamonstein, D-Newport News, lets
his grandchildren join him at his seat. color. KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997