Georgia's congressional newcomers arrive in Washington

WASHINGTON - Georgia&#39;s five congressional newcomers include two state senators, a mayor, a judge and a university professor. But Tuesday, they were all rookies learning a new craft. <br> <br> The state&#39;s freshman five joined about 50 others in Washington for an orientation program briefing them on the ways of being a member of Congress - a title they won&#39;t officially hold until January. <br> <br> In addition to learning their way around the Capitol and meeting soon-to-be-colleagues, they got some first-day homework - a thick notebook they are expected to study detailing all the rules and regulations of their new post. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s a lot like the first day of medical school or the first day in the state Senate,&#39;&#39; said Republican Phil Gingrey, who has experienced both. ``Everybody&#39;s patting you on the back and addressing you by a new title. You have a tendency to get over-impressed with yourself but, at this point of my life, I realize I&#39;m just one of 435 people and as junior as you can get.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Gingrey and Burns, a professor, make up Georgia&#39;s GOP freshman class. They join Democrats Jim Marshall, formerly the mayor of Macon, state Sen. David Scott and former judge Denise Majette, who ousted incumbent Rep. Cynthia McKinney in the Aug. 20 primary. <br> <br> ``Up here it&#39;s awesome and humbling,&#39;&#39; said Scott, reflecting on a freshman tour of Capitol Hill. ``This is an extraordinary place, rich in history. It is very noble. You&#39;re here on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson, sitting in the chair Abraham Lincoln sat, in the room the great debates were happening.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Majette, who is accustomed to plenty of paperwork from her days as a judge, still found the load rather overwhelming. However, she called the privilege ``humbling&#39;&#39; and pledged to work with both Republicans and Democrats to help her constituents. <br> <br> ``It sounds as though there&#39;s a lot of administrative material that has to be digested, but I&#39;m confident we&#39;ll be able to get up to speed really quickly,&#39;&#39; Majette said. <br> <br> Besides learning the nuts and bolts of congressional work and considering staff hires, Marshall was exploring the congressional family health benefits and pondering where to live. The Vietnam veteran and frequent hunter said it was conceivable he would stay in his office and commute from Macon rather than rent a costly Washington apartment. <br> <br> ``My congressional office is likely to be a lot more comfortable than a whole lot of other places I&#39;ve slept,&#39;&#39; he said.

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