Local legislators celebrate inauguration of Biden, Harris

WASHINGTON >> On Wednesday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) issued the following statement after attending the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States:

“Today is a turning point for our nation,” Garamendi said. “After a tumultuous 2020 that saw nearly 400,000 American deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, historic civil unrest, and extraordinary economic hardship, the Biden-Harris Administration is poised to enact strong policies that will crush the pandemic, build our economy back better than before, and unite our country.

“It is important to take time to reflect on the historic nature of this moment,” Garamendi continued. “My friend and fellow Californian, Kamala Harris, has made history by becoming the nation’s first female, Black, and South Asian American Vice President. Her inauguration today is the first time millions of Americans have seen themselves reflected at the highest level of their government. She is a historic Vice President during a major inflection point for our nation.

“Make no mistake: this is a defining moment in American history. On the eve of President Biden’s inauguration, America was more divided than it’s been at any point in our lifetimes. Our nation is still reeling from a violent insurrection, incited by President Trump, that left six people dead. More Americans are dying of COVID-19 now than ever before, and we are living through the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. President Biden is exactly who we need to unite our country, dig us out of these historic challenges, and usher in a new era of American prosperity. I have known President Biden for nearly 40 years, and I have seen his empathy and care he has for Americans firsthand,” Garamendi continued.

“President Biden said it himself: he was a Democratic candidate, but he will be an American President who governs for all. I am eager to support his agenda through my work in Congress to help him heal our nation. Congratulations to

America’s 46th President, Joe Biden, and 49th Vice President, Kamala Harris,” Garamendi concluded.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) released the following statement after Joe Biden was sworn in as President and Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President.

“Today I was proud to watch as Joe Biden was sworn in as President and Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President. Today we turn an important page in our nation’s history, and I have great hope for the future we can create together. Today is a new day. I look forward to working with President Biden and Vice President Harris to build back better as we advance priorities to help our district and to build a fairer and more equitable tax code in my role as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. We must all work together to ensure we write the next chapter in our nation’s march toward justice, freedom and equality for all.”

Thompson attended the inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol along with his wife, Janet Thompson.