Passing The Gavel

Or as history would have it, passing “a” gavel. A nice piece today on NPR’s Morning Edition. You can listen here.

As the 112th session of Congress begins, the gavel is passed from Nancy Pelosi to John Boehner — make that "a" gavel is passed.

That's because the speaker of the House doesn't use just one gavel: He or she uses many.

One reason, according to House historian Matt Wasniewski: "Gavels break from frequent use."

Evidently, they really only use one gavel in the Senate. I guess that deliberative body is a little easier to reign in.

Best wishes to 112th session of Congress under the leadership of (almost) Speaker of the House John Boehner, as they attempt to do the work of the people. And we need a lot of work to be done on our behalf. But if “a” gavel – any gavel – passes again in the 113th session of Congress in 2012, I will be very happy.