WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legendary Pittsburgh vendor T.C. Congdon has been hired for an exclusive event: selling bottled beer to a thirsty crowd of congressmen, cabinet officers and Supreme Court justices during President Bush’s State of the Union Address next week. Mr. Congdon will precede Mr. Bush in entering the chambers. His arrival will be announced by the Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives. Reached by reporters at the Duquesne Club where he operates the mechanical bull in between trading quips with local movers and shakers in the world of politics and business, Congdon was ecstatic. “Holy Smokes!” he exclaimed. “I’m finally going to get the chance to tell Ginsburg [Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg] what I thought of her dissenting opinion in Unger v. Madison!” Mr. Congdon has requested, and received, permission from the Pittsburgh Penguins to take the evening off from his regular shift at the Civic Arena to make history in the nation’s capitol.
“We know what T.C. means to a crowd,” said Pens President Ken Sawyer. “He has a special ability to add excitement to any event. We are confident he will do the same for the folks attending the State of the Union address.” White House officials have asked Mr. Congdon to wear appropriate attire, and have plenty of spare change. Congressional protocol forbids tipping from any government official.
