Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, today was sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania’s sprawling Fifth District. He will replace John Peterson who did not seek reelection after holding the seat for 12 years. Thompson issued the following statement shortly after being sworn in:
“To stand on the House Floor today and take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America is awe inspiring and in some sense a surreal moment. However, the job before me, which is to represent the citizens and interests of the Fifth District and to work with my colleagues across the aisle to get the economy back on stable ground, is a task that I am more than ready to embark upon and eager to get under way.
“As I said on the campaign trail and above all else, my motto of People above Politics will continue to guide my thinking and shape my positions in the months and years ahead. The people of the Fifth District and the Country are tired of the partisan debate that has dominated Washington for all too long and I look forward to working across the aisle on a host of issues including rural healthcare reform, a comprehensive energy plan, and providing an environment where small businesses can create new, good paying, family sustaining jobs.
“The challenges are great but the opportunity to change the way Washington operates and give the government back to the people is a challenge I willfully accept and plan on tackling in the days and years ahead.”
Thompson, who hails from the small town of Howard, Pennsylvania – off Interstate 80 in Centre County, joins 55 newly elected Members in the 111th Congress Freshman class. The House of Representatives consists of 435 voting members and 6 non-voting Members from the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories. Members of the House are elected to a two year term and must be sworn in at the beginning of each term.
Congressional Oath of Office:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Note: Click here to listen to an audio clip of Congressman Thompson’s thoughts on his first day in Congress. Click here to view the ceremonial swearing in.
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