In Washington D.C. for an orientation session, Davis chose Office 1517 in the Longworth Building by lottery. She was the 19th new member of Congress to select an office, and though she didn't get her first choice, No. 1517 was the "sixth or seventh on my list." Davis said she likes the Longworth building because it is close to the Capitol, and "you have 15 minutes to get there to vote."

Davis and her husband, Dr. Steve Davis, also found a home on Capitol Hill. She said the Washington real estate market is such that it was more economical to buy a house than to rent one "even if we're here only two years." She said she will continue to maintain her residence in San Diego, where she plans to return "three out of four weekends per month."

The congresswoman-elect applied for seats on the House Armed Services Committee and on the House Education and Work Force Committee, but probably won't find out if she received those assignments until Congress returns in January.

The 14 freshman Democrats held class elections, deciding to rotate the class presidency every three months. Taking the first of eight quarters will be Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who won the congressional seat which Republican Rick Lazio surrendered to run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate against Hillary Clinton. Davis will serve as class president in the last of eight quarters, from September to December 2002, meaning she will occupy that position while she is running for reelection.
-- Donald H. Harrison