Meeting Governor Riley!

Posted by Alabama Tourism intern Brooke Franco:

There’s something very unique about taking a trip to the state capitol building in Montgomery. From taking in the picturesque view of it as you walk up Dexter Avenue, to climbing up the massive marble staircase at the foot of the building, to checking the time on the enormous clock on the front, to walking around the buildings tribute to all 50 United States flags, to gazing up into the mural of the history of Alabama inside the rotunda, there is just something exciting you find every time you go over to Goat Hill in Montgomery. History and stories abound from the moment you step onto the property.

I was able to take a special visit to the capitol. Ten other interns and I for the Office of the Governor were able to go and meet Governor Bob Riley in his office inside the building. We were all very excited that he was able to squeeze us in between traveling and all of his duties as Governor.

The Wednesday afternoon in July that we were to meet him we were taken into the grand reception area outside of his office to wait while he was in an important meeting. None of us said a word, as we stared at the pale yellow walls anxiously thinking about the man we had heard so much about on our internships.

When he was ready, we filed into his office and greeted him one at a time for a picture. From the second we walked into the room we found out how personable the Governor was. He talked to each of us asking where we went to school and what we were studying, things we had done on our internship, to even talking football and making jokes with us. He seemed so happy to meet us all despite how incredibly busy of a man he is. We all left his office excited at the opportunity we had just had.

Now when I take a trip to the capitol building I will always think of the day I was able to meet Governor Riley in his office. I will remember the exquisite way his office was decorated as it grandly looked out onto the grounds of the capitol. Most importantly, I will remember how happy he made a group of interns just by spending a little time with them!