After having been sworn in as a member of Congress on Jan. 3 in an official swearing-in ceremony held at the nation’s Capitol, having been appointed to serve as a member of both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Small Business, and on Jan. 23 making his first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman George Latimer on Jan. 26 participated in a public swearing in ceremony at the Rye High School’s Performing Arts Center.
Latimer is a Democrat while the House of Representatives is currently controlled by Republicans.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the audience in Rye that he was with Latimer the previous day at a public swearing-in ceremony held at Co-Op City in the Bronx. Latimer’s 16th Congressional District covers parts of the Bronx and Westchester.
State Sen. Shelley Mayer acted as master of ceremonies for the Rye event that saw speeches praising Latimer as a person as well as for his accomplishments in government service. Among the other speakers were New York Attorney General Letitia James and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Latimer and Ken Jenkins, his successor as county executive, hugged on the stage as Jenkins walked to the microphone after being introduced by New York’s Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Hochul had pledged to provide Latimer with whatever support he needs to push plans and policies in Congress that will benefit constituents and noted that Latimer seems to know everyone of them.
“He’s one of a kind. Going to a diner with George is like walking in with a rock star,” Hochul said. “Everybody knows him by name, and they have a story to tell — ‘George, remember that time you helped my mother do this, or this.’ It’s so empowering to see what one person can do in a role that they’re given.”
Hochul said that at this point in his life Latimer could have said that he had done enough and retired, but Latimer continued to feel a strong call to public service.
“He knew his voice was needed to stand up for those who need help and also to stand up against the scourge of antisemitism that has been so rampant,” Hochul said. “I admire your courage, George. We need voices like yours.”
Hochul said it will be hard for Latimer being in the minority in Washington with the Republicans controlling both the House and Senate as well as the White House. She recalled her own time in Congress when Democrats were in the minority but said that did not diminish her enthusiasm.
“It’s an awesome feeling when you see the Capitol dome against the blue sky,” Hochul said, “Good people like George Latimer will stand up and go to the line of fire every single day.”
