Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
For those of you who are not C-Span junkies and may have missed Ron Barber being sworn in as the next member of Congress from Arizona's CD 8, I have posted the video below the fold.
In his first speech as a congressman, Barber paid tribute to Gabrielle Giffords. Former Giffords aide sworn in as House member:
"I stand here on the floor of the House in the very spot where, five months ago, my friend and my predecessor, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, bravely delivered her resignation from Congress," Barber said. "I want to thank the congresswoman for her vision, leadership and the inspiration she gives to the country."
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In his brief speech on the House floor, Barber invoked the spirits of two legendary Arizonans -- the late Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater and the late Democratic Rep. Mo Udall -- and said he would try to emulate their good-natured styles.
"(They were) two leaders in their respective parties who disagreed on much, but did so without being disagreeable," Barber said.
J. Scott Applewhite/The Arizona Republic
The seven other members of Arizona's House delegation stood with Barber as he took the oath of office. They said they were glad that the delegation is again at full strength. Giffords' severe injuries made her largely unable to work, so the state has had only seven votes for most of the last year and a half.
Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said the delegation has long admired Barber for his strong constituent work on Giffords' behalf and for continuing to serve the public after he recovered from his wounds.
"We have been impressed by your commitment to Arizona," Flake told Barber as he welcomed him to Congress in a speech on the House floor.
Inside his office, Barber's staff greeted him with a sign that read, "Welcome Congressman Barber." House officials had already put up a temporary nameplate outside his door.
h/t Amanda Sapir photo
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