Congressman Lawler Celebrates His Swearing-In With Rockland Residents

by M.C. Millman

Newly elected Congressman Mike Lawler  was  joined by hundreds of his constituents for an in-district inauguration ceremony

The celebration took place at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona. 

"Washington is full of glitz and drama and intrigue, as we saw with the 15 votes to elect a speaker," the Congressman shared with attendees, "and that's the great trap because, at the end of the day, D.C. isn't real. And it's my job to always remember that. What's real are the families I am so honored to represent here in the Hudson Valley. Their dreams, their day-to-day struggles, their hopes for the future. Those are the things we spoke about during the campaign, and those are the things I am going to be 100% focused on for the next two years."

"America is America," the Congressman continued. "We have always found ways to overcome obstacles together...Whether we're Democrats or Republicans, Liberals or Conservatives, Jews, Christians, or Muslims, Latino, white, black or Asian, we all want the same things for ourselves and for our families, to live in a nation with the freedom to live the way we see fit. Not the way a king, emperor or dictator demands, that was a revolutionary idea once, and it's just as old a concept today. 

"All of us want the same things in life, the good-paying job to provide for our families, the quality in education for our children, access to housing and healthcare, and a safe neighborhood to live in. These are not

Republican or Democratic ideals. They are fundamentally American; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's the premise of the American dream -equal opportunity for all."

Lawler's words rang true in a room full of family, friends, elected leaders, and community leaders. 

"It's healthy to disagree in politics," he continued. "In fact, it's necessary. But we cannot have a stalemate in government. That's why I was one of the most bipartisan legislators in Albany, and that's why I'll be the same in Congress. We can fight passionately, and from those who know me well, you know I fight passionately, but at the end of the day, you know our leaders must act for the betterment of each other and each of us. And that's how I'm approaching my role in Congress Because that is what each of you has the right to expect. That's why you sent me there in the first place. We must be diligent to keep America on this historical course of freedom. We must protect it and preserve it at all costs."

Lawler concluded with these strong words. "I will always have an open door, an open mind, and an open heart for each and every one of you, and I promise I will never stop fighting for us."