For New Yorkers, a ‘moment of hope’
Tonko applauds focus on unity, realism in speech from Biden
President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took their oaths of office Wednesday, stepping up to lead a nation in crisis, as New Yorkers watched the peaceful transfer of America’s highest office from their living rooms, workplaces and, for some, the inaugural stands.
Sitting in the lower stands, listening, was U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-amsterdam, on what was one of his first visits to the U.S. Capitol after the assault on the building on Jan. 6, which trapped him in the House chamber as protesters tried to force their way in. Tonko had a potential COVID-19 exposure during the melee, voted by proxy last week and subsequently tested negative.
“It brought back images of that day,” Tonko said in an interview. But he said the inauguration of Biden and Harris — the first female, Black and Asiandescent vice president — was an empowering antidote to memories of the attempt to “destroy our Republic.”
“What came of it was this rebirth, this challenge and this coming together that was overwhelming the message of Joe Biden today,” Tonko said. “Joseph Biden dwelled on unity in a very passionate way but a realistic way. He challenged all of us to come together.”
Members of Congress, press, government officials, their families and a large contingency of law enforcement protecting the event were the only groups who attended the inauguration inperson, due to the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing security threats to the U.S. Capitol. A military perimeter and heavy law enforcement presence encircled the event.
On the inaugural platform, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also a former New York senator, took their seats near Biden and Harris and congratulated them. Clinton wore purple to symbolize bipartisanship and unity, as did Harris.
“I was so relieved and grateful that we were able to celebrate the transfer of power in a peaceful way, which is now a hallmark of our country going back to George Washington,” Clinton said. “And it meant a great deal, I think, to so many Americans to see the ceremony conducted on the platform where just a few weeks ago, marauders and terrorists had been attempting to stop democracy. So it really lifted my heart.”
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who was to become majority leader Wednesday, watched the inauguration nearby wearing a Hickey Freeman jacket made in Rochester. He looked on with other top congressional leaders as Biden signed an inauguration
proclamation after the event. On Wednesday morning, he joined Biden for a church service.
In place of the thousands of people who would usually pack the National Mall for the inauguration, tiny colorful flags planted in the grass waved in the winter wind during the inauguration. Millions of Americans watched on television from home, some holding virtual watch parties on Zoom to take in the action together.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who remained in Albany for the inauguration due to potential security threats to the state Capitol, said Biden was the right man for the moment, a man strong enough to “use words like ‘love,’ like ‘healing.’”
“He’s been a great friend to New York state,” Cuomo said. “He was in many ways our go-to person during the Obama administration. If I needed to cut the federal bureaucracy and get something done, the vice president was always there.”
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-schuylerville, praised the work of the former President Donald Trump and congratulated the new administration Wednesday.
“I am grateful to President Trump and Vice President Pence for their hard work, service and strong record of achievements for the American people over the past four years,” Stefanik said. “I congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris on their swearing in, and I look forward to working with their administration to deliver bipartisan solutions for New York’s 21st Congressional District.”
For congressional Democrats, the inauguration was a day of jubilation, the first time they will lead the White House and both chambers of Congress in a decade.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who ran for president last year, on Wednesday said she was feeling “hopeful, proud and more determined than ever to fight for an America that lives up to its promise.”
“While our nation continues to face an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, the inauguration was a moment of hope, and the start of a journey to not only recover from the pandemic, but to rebuild and strengthen our nation,” Gillibrand said.
For Democrats and Biden, this era will begin with the dual challenges of COVID-19 and partisan division, a difficult start but an opportunity to rise, Tonko said.
“The beginning of his presidencies is defined by that challenge but it will also I think create the greatness of his administration by his meeting the challenge to now build back from that,” Tonko said.
U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-rhinebeck, said Harris’ inauguration showcased the “ongoing perfection” of the nation’s union.
“Today, little girls and children of color in America watched an inauguration ceremony and saw themselves being sworn in to lead our great nation into the future,” Delgado said.
For Republicans, the inauguration marked their transition into the minority and the reshaping of their party after Trump’s exit.
U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-shirley, said Wednesday was not a time to look backward. The inauguration was a moment to come together, he said, but partisan debate will resume right away.
“On a day like today, for a moment, our country pauses in some of those most spirited of debates, but I am sure it will be renewed in earnest once President Biden is sworn in,” Zeldin said. “He plans on going to the White House and immediately signing a whole bunch of executive orders.
“They’re executive orders that some people will love and others will take a strong issue with, and we will go right back to debating. I think the key is how we debate, and how we disagree.”