Norton Invites D.C. Student to Conduct Lottery Drawing of Tickets for Pope Francis’ Congressional Address, Friday

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she was grateful to Patricia Gomez, a senior at Archbishop Carroll High School, for agreeing to help her office draw recipients of standing-room tickets to watch Pope Francis address Congress tomorrow, Friday, September 18, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in her congressional office (2136 Rayburn House Office Building). The lottery has become necessary because of the large number of District of Columbia residents who have requested standing-room tickets to watch the address on jumbotrons on the West Lawn of the Capitol, which will take place next Thursday, September 24, 2015. Norton uses a lottery system whenever there are scarce tickets for major events to ensure there is no hint of favoritism or preferential treatment to any residents. Norton reminded her constituents that ticket holders will undoubtedly have to stand for several hours before the Pope's address even begins. Norton said the final ticket figures are still being determined because her office is still trying to get extra tickets from other Members whose constituents are too far away to travel to D.C. Norton's lottery drawing is open to press.

"Unlike inaugurations and other high-demand public events, the Pope's visit to Capitol Hill presents a special challenge because people of every religion and background have been drawn to Pope Francis and his messages on religious and policy matters," Norton said. "I know that his visit means much to many of us who are not Catholic, but I am certain that for Catholics this is a very special moment. That is why I decided to ask Archbishop Carroll to select a worthy student to help us conduct the lottery drawing, and I am pleased that a young Catholic D.C. resident has agreed to help us with this important task."