WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tom Petri escorted the Menasha High School band around the U.S. Capitol Friday, a day after the band played in President Bush's inaugural parade. "I think the students enjoyed very much seeing the Capitol," Petri said. "I certainly enjoyed taking them on a tour of the House floor and over to the Rotunda. It's a historic building and it's still a living site of our democracy in action."

While helping to manage the 150 band members who traveled in three buses, band director Kevin Plekan said that among the trip's highlights, "Besides marching in yesterday's parade, spending time with the Congressman this morning is pretty awesome."

Sophomore saxophonist Elisha Schwarzzaur said that coming to Washington was "really exciting. The parade was awesome. Everybody was so into it."

Sara Pelish, a junior who plays the clarinet with the band said, "I really liked meeting the people yesterday before the parade in the warming tents. We got to meet with other bands and we compared marching styles."

Rep. Tom Petri with the Menasha High School band in the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2005. A day earlier the band had marched in President Bush's inaugural parade.

Taylor Kwas, a trombonist and high school junior, brought up the issue that was felt throughout the inauguration festivities. "We were actually supposed to come to Washington, D.C. back when I was in eighth grade, and we couldn't because of 9/11," he said. "So being able to go around and see some of the monuments and the Lincoln Memorial was just unbelievable. I really enjoyed it."