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Week of November 24th
ECONOMIC UPDATE: This week I will be consulting with business and economic leaders from across Maryland to discuss what, if any, relief they have seen recently as the federal government has taken preliminary steps to help stabilize the economy and financial sectors. I also look forward to hearing what additional steps they would like to see the new Congress and incoming president move forward as soon as possible in January to further help our economic recovery.
AUTO UPDATE: The House and Senate are expected to return to Washington within the next couple of weeks to consider plans to help save the America auto makers from collapse. An important part of this is an expectation that the manufacturers develop a plan to maintain their future viability before any additional loans or other funds are extended by the federal government. I will update you on this issue as more information becomes available.
INAUGURATION UPDATE: January 20, 2009 will be a historic event as millions of Marylanders - and Americans across the country - witness the Inauguration of Barack Obama as President and Joseph Biden as Vice President of the United States. Because of our close proximity to our Nation's Capital, requests to Maryland Congressional offices for free tickets to the swearing-in ceremony have been astronomical. As you can imagine, the requests for tickets far exceed the availability. It is expected that each Senate and House office will have less than 400 tickets to distribute and those will be primarily for standing areas on the National Mall.
For those who have requested tickets from my office, your name will be entered into a random drawing. I will contact everyone who has requested tickets via e-mail sometime in January updating you about ticket availability. I also will continue to send updates about Inaugural events as information becomes available.
For those who do not receive congressional tickets to the Inauguration, sections of the National Mall and Inaugural Parade route will be open to the public and will not require tickets. We expect that large-screen televisions and audio speakers will be placed throughout the Mall so that as many people as possible can hear and see this historic event.
The President-elect also will form a Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), which will be responsible for all balls, galas, receptions, parties and the official Inaugural Day parade. Ticket requests for these events should be directed to the PIC. Its website is: http://www.change.gov/learn/inauguration/ . Information on these events will be updated by the PIC as it becomes available.
Whether you are able to attend the swearing-in ceremony in person or whether you watch it on TV with family and friends, this will be a historic experience for all Americans and for our nation.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
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