The Washington Post - What Congress Can Learn from Bees. Yes, Bees

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By Jeff Simon and Paul Sullivan

1. "I am the Walrus" by The Beatles -- great song or one you'd rather never hear again?

That's referring to my last name, I take it. Eggman. That was a hard name to grow up with. My dad always told me growing up, "Son, Eggman -- that name builds character." So if you want a congressman with a lot of character, you have one right here. I am the eggman, I am the walrus.

2. What exactly is the "beekeeper mafia?"

I'm a big "Godfather" fan so I put that on my Web site once upon a time. I'm a third-generation beekeeper, I have a lot of uncles and cousins in the beekeeping industry.

3. Can you draw any metaphors between beekeeping and serving in Congress?

I think there's a great metaphor there. The beehive has many jobs and it relies on all the members of that hive doing their job. They all work together -- that's the point of the hive. And if they all don't work together and cooperate, the hive's not going to survive. We need a lot more cooperation in Congress.

4. Your opponent is one of the few House Republicans to wade into comprehensive immigration reform. Does he deserve credit for that?

It's easy to make noise on immigration, but it's harder to show some true leadership. I know there are enough votes in the House to pass immigration reform right now, if someone would be a leader and call for a vote.

5. What kind of advice did you get from your sister, who serves in the state assembly?

She's part of my inner circle. She really is concerned about the people of her district -- that's who she represents. I think here in Congress we could learn a lot from my sister.

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