A Proud Daddy Moment
I’ve got a backlog of posts piling up, but this one couldn’t wait.
Last week, I visited Washington D.C. for the first time — not for tech, not for work, but for something far more special: my daughter. She won the Congressional Art Competition, which meant an invitation to D.C. and a celebration we couldn’t miss.
The competition, hosted by the Congressional Institute, is open to high school students across the U.S. Each member of the House of Representatives selects one winner from their district — meaning 435 students are recognized as honorable winners, and their artwork is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year. My daughter took the win for California’s 16th District, represented by Rep. Sam Liccardo.
The ceremony took place in the auditorium of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. It followed the usual script — including a (recorded) welcome from House Speaker Mike Johnson — but what made it truly special was the moment my daughter was recognized as one of America’s young creative visionaries. A typical program, yes — but an unforgettable moment.
After the ceremony, we had the chance to meet Rep. Sam Liccardo, who personally escorted us through the member-only Capitol gate to view the exhibits. Walking up the grand stairway and seeing the Capitol Dome from that vantage point — surreal.
We were also given gallery tickets for both the House and Senate. At first, I assumed we were heading to some kind of art gallery inside the chambers, but after going through a round of tight security (we should leave all electronics–even my Apple Watch), I realized we were about to witness live sessions in both chambers of Congress. The Senate session, in particular, was interesting. They were voting on an amendment to the GENIUS Act, and I spotted some big names in action — Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, even Mitch McConnell. It was like a political who’s who, but in real life.
We also followed Rep. Liccardo’s recommendation and visited the Library of Congress — and I’m glad we did. It was another standout moment of the trip. The building itself is a masterpiece, more like a cathedral of knowledge than just a library. Ornate ceilings, marble columns, and the sense that every corner holds a story or history.
Yes, a proper D.C. trip isn’t complete without a good tour — and we booked a morning Segway tour. Honestly, it was a great call. None of us had ridden a Segway before, but it turned out to be surprisingly easy to pick up. And in that sweaty D.C. heat? Absolutely the way to go.
We cruised past the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and plenty more. The only real obstacle was some black fences blocking both our view and our route — apparently for someone’s birthday party.
For dinner, we headed to Chef Edward Lee’s Succotash Prime — yes, the same Edward Lee from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars. We chose the “Taste the South” family-style menu, and I honestly think it was the best call.
It was a Korean-inspired reinterpretation of classic Southern comfort food — rich, flavorful, and full of personality. The portions were generous (borderline overwhelming), and as much as we wanted to savor every bite, we just couldn’t finish it all. I felt a little guilty, actually — not because it wasn’t delicious, but because I was too full to give it the justice it deserved. I knew I’d be hungry again later, but by then, the moment had passed.
Southwest Airlines was the official sponsor of the competition, which meant we were lucky enough to receive complimentary flight tickets. There was just one catch — Southwest doesn’t offer direct flights from San Francisco to D.C. So, we opted to fly into Baltimore (BWI) instead.
From there, it was about an hour’s Uber ride to D.C., which turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant drive — despite being bumper to bumper almost the whole way. The road wound through lush, tree-lined scenery, and that’s when I learned it’s called a “parkway,” not a freeway. First time I really noticed the difference.
It wasn’t just a trip to D.C. — it was a journey full of pride, discovery, and a few unexpected detours (both literal and emotional). Here’s to art, history, and the joy of seeing your kid shine in the nation’s capital. What a proud daddy moment.
