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Quigley Takes Oath of Office

April 20, 2009

Sworn in as 433rd Member of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Tuesday, April 21st U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) will be sworn in as the 433rd Member of the United States House of Representatives at approximately 6:45 pm (EST). Quigley released the following remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Thank you, Madam Speaker, fellow Members of the House, friends watching back home, especially those at Loyola University.

If anyone needs a reminder of what "change" means, consider that in 3 months I went from talking to voters on a cold "L" platform in Chicago, to standing in the well of this chamber taking the oath of office from the first woman speaker of the house.

Every young boy's dream "to be the 433rd Member of Congress."

But we have urgent business before us and as the 433rd ...I'm not sure when I'll get another chance to address so many of my colleagues at one time. So, I will say a few words on behalf of my district.

First, to my family and friends and staff in the gallery -- I wish to thank everyone up there for helping me get down here.

Above all, I want to thank my wife Barb and our daughters Alyson and Meghan. Let the record reflect they got their puppy months ago.

And my parents. I am thrilled that you are here today. And I pledge that the lessons that you taught me will guide me every time I vote on this floor.

I want to acknowledge my predecessor and thank him for his years of service.

Madam Speaker, you may find that Congressman Emanuel and I have different styles, perhaps a slightly different vocabulary. But though we are different in manner, Rahm and I share the same commitment to fight for working families, to fight for health care, to protect the environment, and of course, to help our new president make good on the promise of fundamental change.

To my new colleagues, I know that there are 433 distinct paths that have led each of us to this place. My own as a teacher, a lawyer, a public official, husband and father will guide my priorities and hopefully will create areas of common ground with each and every one of you. I will partner with every member, regardless of party, to fight for reform. I will stand alongside any member who believes, as President Obama does, in transparency and accountability.

And I will work with anyone who believes, as I do, that reforming politics and restoring Americans' faith in their institutions is essential to rebuilding our economy.

Finally, a word to the people of the 5th district of Illinois. From the bungalows in Albany Park to the high rises in Lincoln Park, thank you for trusting me with this office. Trust is a tough thing to come by these days, especially in Illinois, and I will not let you down.

Because of the challenges you face, I view today not as an end, but a beginning.

It is a humbling experience to take a new job when so many Americans are struggling to find work. I realize that I have just taken an oath to join this house, when so many Americans are losing their own homes.

I am aware that while I speak about "fighting for reform," there are brave young men and women stationed all across the globe who stand ready to fight, and risk everything, to defend America. Its for theme, for every American confronting a challenge today, that I pledge to work with my colleagues for change, and to rebuild opportunities for every American. It is from them that I will draw the strength to do that job.

Thank you very much.