Dozens of former lawmakers in town this week

“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … your former boss!”

Veteran Capitol Hill staffers may be saying just that this week, as the United States Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) rolls into town for its two-day annual meeting.

{mosads}Among the more than 40 congressional alums expected to attend are former Reps. Jim Bates (D-Calif.), Beverly Byron (D-Md.), Phil English (R-Pa.), Herb Klein (D-N.J.), Bob Livingston (R-La.), Connie Morella (R-Md.), Major Owens (D-N.Y.) and John Rhodes (R-Ariz.), the president of the FMC.

Many of them will convene in the House chamber Tuesday morning, where they and current members will honor former House Majority Whip Bill Gray (D-Pa.) with the 40th annual Distinguished Service Award. Gray served in Congress from 1979-1991 and went on to lead the United Negro College Fund after leaving office.