Gregory Watson

Hi. Uh, who are you? I'm Gregory Watson. I'm responsible for the ratification of the 27th Amendment to the federal Constitution.

Stepfather.

Sometimes.

It says that when members of Congress want to adjust their salaries, they must wait until the next election has intervened.

It all started in 1982. with a college paper that I wrote. I found a book in the library that showed amendments that Congress had approved, but which not enough state legislatures had ratified. And I found this one from 1789. Wait, wait, wait.

Yes, March of 1982 during spring break.

I turn it in to the T.A. and get it back a few days later with a C on it. With a C? A C. And I appealed the grade up to the professor. She said she'd take a look at it. And when she came back a few days later, she saw me sitting in the aisle and she physically tossed it at me and said, no change. I decided right then and there, I'm going to get that amendment ratified. Wait a minute.

And so what happens now? Well, then I start writing those letters, pleading with members of the legislatures in those states to introduce a resolution at the state capitol to ratify the amendment. And it needed 32 states. And when Maine ratified the following year in 1983, there was just no turning back.

And then what happens? So I pestered, and I badgered, and I cajoled the state legislatures over the course of 10 years, and they ratified it.

Yes.

Absolutely nothing. You didn't get a thank you card from... No thank you card from anyone.

Beautiful. I shall treasure it for all time.