For Release: Friday, January 16, 2009
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO TO PRESIDE OVER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON INAUGURATION DAY

Washington - Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), dean of the Illinois House delegation, has been selected by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to preside over the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 20th, prior to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Costello will call the House to order to assemble the members before proceeding to the West front of the Capitol to view the swearing-in ceremonies.

“This is a great honor and I look forward to being part of this historic day for Illinois and our nation,” said Costello. “The peaceful transition of power represented by the inauguration of a new president is a reminder to the rest of the world of the promise of freedom embodied in the United States of America. While our nation faces many challenges at home and abroad, we will meet them head on, united as citizens in the belief that our best days lie ahead.”

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