Event 'Whips' Up Support For Hoyer, Reid

There was a man dressed in an Indiana Jones costume cracking an eight-foot leather whip as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland arrived at the CUNA-sponsored reception for the Democratic "Whips" in the House and Senate. A man in an Egyptian-style red fez handed out token "treasure" as Democratic pols, their staff, and lobbyists climbed a red carpet into Boston's Museum of Fine Arts to honor Hoyer and Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, both responsible for "whipping" their colleagues into line on legislative battles. Invited guests were given nametags attached by miniature leather whips then offered chicken-mousse and pistachio-stuffed date canap?s as they climbed the stairs to the promenade where they were greeted by an 11-piece orchestra and a five-piece rock band. Later on in the reception, cosponsored by CUNA, Fannie Mae, Sallie Mae, Ernst & Young, BellSouth and the National Association of Homebuilders, attendees were treated to performances by well-known music stars while they munched on refreshments under masterpieces by Van Dyk, Rubens and Valasquez.