Harry Reid: “It seems just a day or two ago--the fact of the matter is, it was almost 40 years ago--that I served as a Capitol…”

“It seems just a day or two ago--the fact of the matter is, it was almost 40 years ago--that I served as a Capitol policeman. I can remember being out on the steps on the east front of the Capitol. I worked the night shift while I attended law school during the day. I remember one of my first duty stations was to be present during the concerts which took place every night. I can remember a lot of things. One thing I remember is Senator Carl Hayden coming to the concerts every night. He had been in Congress more than 50 years at that time. He was still mentally alert but physically infirm. He would come in his wheelchair. As a Capitol policeman, I would stand near him during these concerts. Quite frankly, Mr. President, the most dangerous thing I did as a Capitol policeman was to direct traffic. Directing traffic was a little dangerous in those days. I can remember that on Constitution Avenue, they had railroad tracks. And there were cars all over the place. It sounds a little facetious when I say it was the most dangerous thing I did, but it was true. I was barely old enough to carry a gun. One had to be 21. I carried a pistol. Thank goodness, I never took it out of the holster during the time I was a Capitol policeman. I have very fond memories of being a Capitol policeman.”