Congress this week recognized the 100th anniversary of the Congressional Club, created in 1908 to provide a nonpartisan setting for friendships among the spouses of members of the House and Senate.

As one congressman noted this week, the group was founded as an organization for congressional "wives," but now includes many husbands as more women get elected to Congress.

An active member today is the spouse of a sitting or former member of Congress, Supreme Court justice, or member of a president's Cabinet.

This columnist won't ever forget the words of Sen. Gordon H. Smith, Oregon Republican, when former President Clinton suddenly became "husband" to a sitting U.S. senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"My biggest concern," confessed Mr. Smith, "is that Bill Clinton will be with my wife in the Senate spouses club."

Says it all

We got a kick out of the multi-worded title that somehow fits on the cover of best-selling author Peter Schweizer's new book, "Makers and Takers: Why Conservatives Work Harder, Feel Happier, Have Closer Families, Take Fewer Drugs, Give More Generously, Value Honesty More, Are Less Materialistic and Envious, Whine Less ... And Even Hug Their Children More Than Liberals."

Harley mama

Sen. Elizabeth Dole, North Carolina Republican, will be the honorary race director of this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race in Charlotte, N.C.

Last year, readers might recall, Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, kicked off his presidential campaign when he served as honorary starter of the Coca-Cola 600.

"As an official of the race, Senator Dole will be honored at a VIP dinner Saturday night, tour the garage at the track on Sunday, address the drivers meeting, be introduced on the stage prior to the race, address the crowd of 180,000 race fans, then ride in the official pace car to start the race," Lauren Steele, vice president of corporate affairs for Coca-Cola Consolidated in Charlotte, tells Inside the Beltway. Continued...