Representative Evans Sworn into Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dwight Evans was sworn into office today to fill the open seat in 2nd Congressional District which includes the city of Philadelphia and parts of Montgomery County.

Evans, 62, was the overwhelming choice of voters last Tuesday in two elections: one to fill the vacancy, and the other for the 115th Congress which will be seated in January.

“As I prepare to take this Congressional seat, I want to share with you one overriding sentiment. It held true for me in the course of working with six mayors, seven governors, 11 state house speakers, and an ever-changing cast of elected officials from both parties. The best work that we did, we did together. And in each case the people won,” Evans said in his first remarks on floor of the House of Representatives.

“I understand our political differences. But I also learned that when we put aside those differences, when we listened to each other, we made great strides. I believed that in the Pennsylvania capital, and I believe that here, too, in our nation’s Capitol.”

Evans’ elevation to Congress follows a lifetime of public service including 36 years representing the 203 Legislative District in Northwest Philadelphia in Harrisburg.

He is widely credited with rebuilding the city’s West Oak Lane community during his tenure, turning it from a desolate urban neighborhood in one of the city’s most thriving areas with a stable housing base, strong center of commerce, and a variety of recreational opportunities.

For 20 years, Evans served as chairman of the Democratic Appropriations Committee. He earned a reputation as a lawmaker who could work in a bi-partisan fashion regardless of the political climate. His signature policy interests include education, economic development, food access, and transportation.

Evans is a graduate of the Philadelphia Public Schools, Community College of Philadelphia and La Salle University. He resides in West Oak Lane. Prior to his career in public service, Evans was a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia and a job developer and project director of the Central Intake Program with the Urban League of Philadelphia.

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