By U.S. Rep. Ben R. Luján
In my first two weeks in Washington, there has been much excitement. I was sworn in on Jan. 6, voted on several pieces of legislation including a bill that could provide over 32,000 New Mexican children with health care coverage and settled into a small rental apartment.
The importance of the work ahead has been clear, but this weekend — as visitors converged on Washington filled with hope and led by a desire to change the direction of our country — marked the true start of a new era of American government. Millions of Americans have taken a personal stake in the success of our next president, and they took to Washington in celebration of change and hope.
On Monday, Americans from coast to coast participated in President Obama’s National Day of Service. With local volunteers and the incoming secretary of energy, Stephen Chu, I participated in a National Day of Service event where volunteers handed out energy efficiency kits to neighborhood families in Washington, D.C. Later in the day, I greeted constituents visiting the office — constituents who traveled great distances to Washington to celebrate the inauguration. Seeing the excitement of families was energizing, and it was great to catch up with people from back home.
Tuesday brought even greater excitement, as I made the trip to the inauguration with almost 2 million other hopeful and enthused Americans from across the country. The day began quietly with breakfast at a nearby Mexican restaurant with two friends from Santa Fe — a nice touch of home in the midst of an historic event, though the restaurant lacked red and green chile that would have been a perfect start to the day. After breakfast, I walked to the office to meet with staff and made the trip to the Capitol building with fellow members of Congress, where we took our seats just behind the podium where President Obama would be sworn in.
As visitors streamed into the National Mall, I thought about the significant events that occurred here over our country’s life — past inaugurals, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s march — events that made history. But the sheer enthusiasm continued to pull me back to the present. There were people as far as the eye could see — millions of Americans eager for change and ready to become authors of a renewed American story. It was a moment unlike anything I had ever witnessed.
During the Inauguration, the importance of family stood out. President Obama focused his attention on his wife and children, and brought them into his historic moment. As he embraced his family, my thoughts raced back to my own family — my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews — and to the families in my district. The events reinforced why we are in Washington as public servants: to change the direction of our country for our families, communities and the next generation.
President Obama’s speech signaled a marked change from the policies of the past. His call to put aside differences and work together for the betterment of the country was impressive and admirable. The frankness with which President Obama discussed the challenges facing our country was refreshing and energizing. In these tough times, we need a new call to service and a clear-eyed assessment about how we can help families throughout New Mexico. President Obama provided this in his speech and delivered a pitch-perfect message for these difficult times. We face tremendous challenges, but we also have an unmatched opportunity to change the direction of our country.
Here are a few photos from the inauguration. The first is of members of Congress walking into the inaugural event:
Luján represents northern New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District.