February 15, 2023 Weekly Update

AOC Welcomes Joseph (Joe) DiPietro

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is pleased to welcome Joseph (Joe) DiPietro, PE, as the new Chief of Operations in the Office of the Chief of Operations.

A member of the Senior Executive Service since 2012, Joe enjoys mentoring managers and staff on his team. He advocates to provide professional development and continuing education classes to advance employees' careers and ensure they're current on the latest innovations as well as maintain their professional licenses and certifications.

Please join us in welcoming Joe DiPietro to the AOC. Read more.

AOC Congratulates Donnie Ward

This past February 7, the Architect of the Capitol’s guest for the State of the Union address was Donnie Ward, a valuable member of the AOC House Office Buildings Service Center team who is celebrating 50 years of service this year. Be sure to congratulate Donnie on his remarkable milestone when you see him!

Office Hours: AOC’s Transit Program and TRANServe

Do you commute to and from work using mass transportation in the DMV? Are you a participant in AOC’s Transportation Benefits Program? Are you interested in receiving transportation benefits? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please join us on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, to learn about AOC’s Transit Program and our upcoming migration to TRANServe, AOC’s new online application system. Read more.

Black History Month Celebration: Enter the Contest

Each year during Black History Month, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History selects a theme to focus the public’s attention and emphasize important developments throughout Black history. The theme this year is “Black Resistance” and celebrates those who have fought for Black freedom.

The AOC is hosting an agencywide contest to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans and to promote larger conversations about race and diversity. Participants must answer one of two questions and responses are due this Friday, February 17, 2023. Five responses will be selected for a 59-minute administrative leave reward. Learn more.

Take a (Virtual) Walk Through Statuary Hall

National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol is built in the shape of an ancient amphitheater and is one of the earliest examples of Greek revival architecture in America. Among its features are sandstone gallery walls and pilasters, colossal columns of variegated Breccia marble quarried along the Potomac River, Corinthian capitals of white marble carved in Carrara, Italy, and a lantern in the fireproof cast-steel ceiling admitting natural light.

Check out this AOC Facebook post to take a (virtual) walk through Statuary Hall and learn more about this historic space.

Wellness 

American Heart Month Continues

During American Heart Month, we are reminded to take care of our hearts and consider our risk factors by thinking about the small ways in which we can keep our hearts healthy. 

The Well-being Wednesday series continues on February 22, with the webinar "Heart Health: Keeping a Healthy Heart." Learn ways to strengthen your heart health to help prevent onset and occurrence of strokes, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Register today.

Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Available

The seasonal flu vaccine is available to adults with a congressional ID card on a walk-in basis at all health units, except the Rayburn Health Unit, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read more about the vaccine.

Pfizer Coronavirus Booster Vaccine

The Pfizer bivalent coronavirus booster vaccine is available by appointment at the Rayburn Health Unit. Read more about the vaccine.

Mandatory Training

As a reminder, the mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information annual training is now available on AOCLearn. This training must be completed by Monday, April 24, 2023.