First Week Serving You In Our Nation's Capitol

First Week Serving You In Our Nation's Capitol
September 12, 2005

Washington, D.C. - It has been an exciting and busy first week serving you in our nation's Capitol. The week started with more than 100 of my friends and supporters boarding two buses that I personally arranged to transport them to Washington, DC for my swearing-in ceremony. I promised my supporters and volunteers during my campaign that if elected, I would take them to Washington with me. And I was deeply honored to have the opportunity to fulfill my promise at no cost to them or the taxpayers.

On Tuesday, as Congress resumed session after an August recess, I took the oath of office administered by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert. I took this oath on the House floor surrounded by members of the Ohio delegation as I placed my left hand upon my family bible and recited the oath. I also had a private ceremony in the Speaker's office with my husband Peter and daughter Emilie at my side. I was humbled to have many colleagues - including members of the Ohio delegation - family members, friends, supporters and staff witness this occasion.

After my swearing-in, I delivered my first speech as a Member of Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives. In it, I told my new colleagues how privileged I am for the opportunity to serve with them. I acknowledged that while we may not always agree on the details of our work, I vowed to my colleagues that I would refrain from harsh words, name-calling and the questioning of character. I also told them that I came to Congress only with a desire to make our great country even greater.

Following the ceremony, there was a reception where my family, friends, supporters and staff met and talked with many of my new colleagues. Former Congressman Rob Portman also stopped by to offer his congratulations and catch up with old friends.

One of my first lessons as a Member of Congress is that you always have to be prepared to move very quickly! Moments after I was sworn in, I cast my first vote, which was to commemorate the 60th anniversary of V - J Day and the end of WWII in the Pacific.

And just hours after I was sworn in, I joined my new colleagues for a hurricane briefing led by members of the President's Cabinet, including Secretary Bodman of the Department of Energy, Secretary Cherthoff of Homeland Security, Secretary Rumsfeld of the Department of Defense and others. The briefing included an update about the government's ongoing role in the hurricane relief efforts.

Before I returned to the district late Thursday evening, I recorded 11 votes on the House floor. Most importantly, I voted to approve an additional $51.8 billion in federal aid to assist in critical federal recovery efforts in the coastal states. Included in this request are $1.4 billion for the military and $400 million for the Army Corps of Engineers. The rest of the aid will go to FEMA.

As promised, I held several meetings in Washington to continue to move forward with the Styrene investigation -- the situation where a rail car containing Styrene, a hazardous substance, was allowed to sit undiscovered for a long period of time near Lunken Airport.

Congressman Steve LaTourette, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Railroads helped me arrange meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Rail America, parent company for the Indiana and Ohio Railroad. These meetings are a critical first step toward getting the answers we need and ensuring that a similar situation doesn't happen anywhere in the United States.

I've hit the ground running this week and I will continue working hard for you. It's a privilege to represent this wonderful district.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh02_schmidt/firstweekserving.html