Smile, Class of 2006!

By Jeninne Lee-St. John

As new members of the House trooped through last week's orientation, we noted certain traits and decided to put together an early yearbook. Most Popular: Yvette Clarke (D., N.Y.) won 89% of the vote in her race, though she missed the group shot. Here are some other standouts among the Reps.

International Club

Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) A native of Japan, Hirono became a U.S. citizen in 1959, the year Hawaii gained statehood. She's got a clubmate in former Republican Albio Sires (D., N.J.), who was born in Cuba.

Most Likely to

Succeed

John Sarbanes (D., Md.)

A Princeton and Harvard Law alum, Sarbanes follows his father, five-term Senator Paul, to Congress. He has the pedigree and pet issue (health-care reform) to shine.

Most Athletic

Heath Shuler (D., N.C.)

The onetime Redskins QB returns to Washington in a Congressman's uniform. We pick Shuler to captain the House Dems' football team vs. a G.O.P. squad led by wrestling coach Jim Jordan (R., Ohio).

Teacher's Pets

Harry Mitchell (D., Ariz.) The high school civics teacher knows his way around government. High grades may also go to Dave Loebsack (D., Iowa) and Carol Shea-Porter (D., N.H.), two college professors.

Band Geeks

John Hall (D., N.Y.)

A singer and songwriter in '70s rock group Orleans (of Still the One fame), Hall is leader of a club that also includes Bill Sali (R., Idaho), who was in the swing band Blue Country, and Paul Hodes (D., N.H.), an award-winning children's musician.