January 18, 2009
New Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello held a public swearing-in ceremony at the Robert Russa Moton Museum on Sunday, January 18 in recognition of the beginning of his term and the start of the 111th Congress.
Though the weather was frigid, a full house of well-wishers attended the event in support of the new congressional representative. Prince Edward Democratic Committee Treasurer Dr. Martha E. Cook welcomed the Congressman, distinguished participants and guests. Dr. Cook said, “This event is non-partisan. We all wish Congressman Perriello the best. When he is successful, the Fifth District will benefit.”
Mayor Sydnor C. Newman presented Rep. Perriello with Farmville’s bicentennial commemorative clock. At the presentation, Newman requested that each time the Congressman looked at the clock he remember Farmville and work to send funds the town’s way. Rep. Perriello smiled and the audience laughed.
Addressing his supporters, Rep. Perriello said, “I wanted to have this public swearing-in event in Farmville so that you all can bear witness to the oath that I’m taking to serve you. The House of Representatives has always been the People’s House, and I belong to you for the next two years.”
Pledging to fight for economic recovery, Rep. Perriello went on to say, “Even in two short weeks, we’ve been able to pass a number of important, bipartisan bills on expanding children’s healthcare and establishing sweeping accountability measures for the bailout money of last fall. The economic situation we face is dire, but I can assure you that in this economic recovery package, I am fighting hard to make sure that small towns and rural communities are not left out of the equation.”
In conclusion, Rep. Perriello said, “I trust that you will be as vocal as you were when I was on the campaign trail, as I promise to be as attentive as I was on the campaign now that I am in office.”
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Photograph #1:
Photographed above are participants in Rep. Perriello’s public Swearing-In Ceremony at the Moton Museum: Dr. Martha E. Cook, Prince Edward Democratic Committee Treasurer and Event Spokesperson; Howard F. Simpson, Vice-Chair Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors; Sheriff Travis D. Harris, Jr. who provided musical entertainment; The Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Gray, Pastor, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Appomattox, Virginia, who administered the oath of office; Tom Perriello, Fifth District Congressman; The Reverend Christopher T. Cunningham, Rector, Johns Memorial Episcopal Church, who delivered the Invocation; Sydnor C. Newman, Mayor, Town of Farmville; Lacy B. Ward, Jr., Director, Robert Russa Moton Museum.
Photograph #2:
Congressman Tom Perriello (back row, second from left) along with Sheriff Travis S. Harris (back row, far left) is photographed above with an area Youth Choir consisting of Fuqua Middle School students and youth of Sulfur Springs Baptist Church.