Rep. Murphy is sworn in by Speaker Nancy PelosiAfter driving to Washington in a car packed with Ikea boxes and a few suits, I arrived just in time to catch a glimpse of my office for the first time before rushing off to a meeting with the Democratic caucus. Meanwhile, my staff rushed to get the office ready for the swearing in on Thursday, as we were expecting more than 100 supporters who were traveling from Connecticut to stop by to see the office.
As Thursday dawned, it had all the makings of a day I wouldn’t soon forget. With all my family in town for the ceremonies and celebration, I couldn’t believe I was finally on the verge of joining the 110th Congress. I walked up the steps of the Capitol with my fiancée, Cathy, to go to the floor of the House of Representatives for the swearing in activities. At the top of the steps, I surveyed the mess in front of the Capitol where construction of the Capitol Visitors Center is in progress, and I said, “What a mess.” Of course, the mess here is little more than a few holes in the ground and construction cranes scattered about -- the real mess to clean up is Congress itself.
Before the swearing in ceremonies began, I sought out Congressman Shays on the floor of the House to tell him that I was looking forward to working with him over the course of the next two years. We spent a little too much time chatting, as when I returned to the Democratic side of the chamber, there were no seats left, so I stood in the aisle along with several other Members to take the oath.
The atmosphere in the House chamber was electric, and when Speaker Pelosi walked in, the crowd on both sides of the aisle erupted in thunderous applause. The next few hours flew by as members of the leadership spoke and I was sworn in before rushing down to the second floor of the Capitol for a private swearing in ceremony with the Speaker. The ceremony was “private” indeed: my family and I, Pelosi and the 50 or so television cameras set up from stations across the country there to catch their local Member being sworn in. What a rush!
My family and I then spent a few minutes in Statuary Hall to take some photos. I was eager to get up to the office see some of the supporters who were in town for the day, but I was only there for a few minutes before I had to go the floor for our first round of votes on the ethics reform measures that are a part of the Democrats’ ambitious “100 Hours Agenda”. I am so proud to be a part of a Congress that, on the first day of business, passed legislation that will hopefully begin to restore the public’s trust in their Congress.
Thanks for letting me share my experiences with you, and I’ll see you back in Connecticut in the coming weeks!
Congressman Chris Murphy
January 5, 2007
29 comments:
"...the real mess to clean up is the Congress itself."
Awe, how earnest! Is that Chris Murphy or Jimmy Stewart?
Brassboy: Shoulda been Vance huh? Where are you? Where have you been? Vance NEVER had a chance, he never campaigned and never showed his face outside his town. Come back to earth Brassboy, only 2 candidates showed the will and interest to stage serious campaigns to be our Representative in Congress: Johnson and Murphy. The 5th chose Murphy. Move on with your life.
Brassboy,
We are all well aware of your dis-taste for Congressman Murphy. However, he's now onto his 2nd day, 1st full, as a sworn Congressman. How long is your litmus test, 10mins? I'm sure he'll be in the district on most Saturday's and Sunday's, I'm also sure you're aware that Congress now votes Monday thru Friday instead of the Tuesday thru Thursday of years past. This allows them all, even your beloved Republicans, what's left of them anyways, less time in the district. So, how about a little slack for at least the first 24hrs?
Well, Chris Shays has now experienced the 'suck up to his face.' How long until the 'knife in the back?'
How about a new slogan for CLP? All Chris, All the Time.
I don't sense the 'excitement.'
Are we supposed to sympathize with Attorney Murphy's honest struggle for the working class due to his reference to "driving to Washington... with Ikea boxes and a few suits?" Is Murphy one of us, so to speak?
How touching, Murphy seeks out Congressman Shays to make nice. Then our novice Congressman is overwhelmed by the electric atmosphere of Congress. He really must be one of us, a true case of Mr. Smith going to Washington, awed by all the glamour, pomp, and circumstance.
Seriously, this piece almost lacks as much substance as Rell's LOB address the other day. And any substance it has is filled with Pelosi talking points.
is this for real? this reads like it was written by a high school student, not a congressman...
"What a rush!"
please tell me this is some sort of joke by genghis.
Oh My,
I forgotten how satisfying it is to watch Republicans cry like babies. Thanks to all Rs at CTLP for the reminder.
PS. I attended CONGRESSMAN MURPHYS send off event (which was open to the public unlike similar Republican events) in New Britain and it was fantastic.
oh golly gosh - gee whiz bang.. stars in my eyes.. once the "wonder of it all" wears off I hope he'll get off his awestruck magic carpet and fix all the crap that is going on so we won't be giving illegal aliens social security benefits... or allowing the United Arab Emirates from running our ports and highways. Ya think Chrissy boy will be able to stop the freight train of the North American Union and the loss of our country and our personal rights? Does he give a crap that so much of our foreign debt is held by China? or that a madman in Iran wants to nuke his brand new office in Washington DC?
This isn't fun and games welcome to fame and fortune... this is for real and is very serious business.
I'm a Republican.
I voted for Nancy.
And...
I'm willing to give this guy a chance, so long as he doesn't sign his own emails with "Congressman Chris Murphy." (Ghengis... at least tell me that you edited it that way.)
The name should do. Show a little humility to those of us waiting to see how you'll turn out, Chris. And congratulations. Really.
I didn't vote for Murphy and I'm not at all pleased that he won. Having said that, I agree with those who argue that it's WAY too early to be critical of him. Besides, I am sure that in due time he will give the 44% of us that voted against him PLENTY of fodder to fairly criticize him for.
First day on the job people... give the guy a break. All he seemed to want to do is share how the first day of the 110th Congress went. With the first female Speaker, this day will go down in history.
Chris... or should I say Congressman Murphy? Congratulations! and good luck. I mean that.
Feel free to give me a call whenever you're concerned about the schools, or need a pothole fixed, in Cheshire.
Your Councilman,
Tim
Wow, so much hostility generated by such a positive, enthusiastic post by Murphy!
I, for one, thought it was great. Comparing it to Rell's speech is silly - this isn't his inaugural address to the entire state! It's a quick dispatch to the folks back home, giving his first impressions of his first day on the job.
I think it's great that Rep. Murphy is using new media to provide a glimpse into the life of a member of Congress, from a first-person perspective. It's another way to keep the rest of us involved in our own government. It's a great way to start his first term.
I cannot believe that anyone, Democrat or Republican, would criticize someone who, on the biggest day of their life, took the time to write a quick summary of their feelings on that day. I think it is refreshing to hear from a Congressman who seems genuinely honored to represent his constituents. It seems that Congressman Murphy is understandably awed by the position he is in and I thank him for sharing a little bit of his first day with us.
This is why we can't have nice things...
I didn't vote for Chris Murphy this time, I did years ago, and at this point unless he becomes the guy who sat in my living room and told me who he was years ago, I don't expect I ever will vote for him again. He mislead me, and broke a trust with me. However, none the less I say we should give him his time to enjoy his new surroundings. No matter what, he is a U.S. Congressman and that is no small deal.
BUT, he has made promises once again, that I expect are just as meaningless to him now, as the ones he made to me years ago. I say we in the 5th district keep a close eye on him to see how well he remembers his slogan 'It's time for a change"
BTY that's the same crap he fed me 8 years ago. He got the job he asked for, now we need to give him his chance to do it the way he promised he would. If he fails to, then I certainly hope the voters of this district boot him out, and let him look for a real job in the private sector he could do, if he could do any. If he does his job, then I have no problem with him. It's up to him.
Nice job Chris. Though I didn't vote for you and can do without the jibes at the former Congress.
I stand by my previous post but based on the various Democrat posts I would like to point out that it's not unfair to PREDICT that Murphy will be an ultra-left congressman. He has repeatedly stated that Rosa DeLaura is his political mentor and the member of Congress that he seeks to emulate. DeLauro has a far left voting record and it's not at all unfair to believe that Murphy will, too. Further, it's clear to us conservatives that Murphy has a FUNDAMENTAL difference of opinion on the role of government and his voting record will reflect that contrary view.
Well, as my mother always used to say, if you don't have anything nice to say, put it in a comment at Connecticut Local Politics.
Actually, that isn't quite the way she puts it, but it seems to apply to the sour grape trolls.
As to Representative Chris Murphy, thank you for your message to CT Local Politics, and best wishes as you start as the Congressman from the 5th CD
I think it is great that the Congressman would take time out of his first day to connect with his constituents back home. I am confident that Chris Murphy is going to be a superb Congressman.
"I am confident that Chris Murphy is going to be a superb Congressman."
Look at the fiscal mess he has left behind him in Connecticut for our kids to clean up after people like him. A mess that he was a direct part of creating.
Almost $36 BILLION in under funded teacher, state worker pension, and health care obligations. And this guy is going to be a great Congressman?? Come on, what color is the sky in your world??? He is just a young version of EXACTLY what is wrong in politics from BOTH political parties.
Haven't read the comments above me, but in all non-partisan honesty...Murph's post was VERY poorly written.
Lets hope he adds an air of intelligence to future postings, or abandons this forum in the future.
"At the top of the steps, I surveyed the mess in front of the Capitol where construction of the Capitol Visitors Center is in progress, and I said, “What a mess.” Of course, the mess here is little more than a few holes in the ground and construction cranes scattered about -- the real mess to clean up is Congress itself."
It's pompous comments like this 3rd grade level swipe that turn me so off to this guy.... At least with him out of Hartford maybe someone there has a chance to clean up the mess he left as he went on to bigger and better things.
As a younger guy who aspires to take a path into politics much like Rep. Murphys, I very much appreciated him taking the time to write a quick note to keep us informed. I for one watched CSPAN all day long that day and frequently wondered what it was like to actually be a new member and his post was pretty much what I was looking to hear. I dont live in his district but I'll follow his career often and I hope he writes a lot despite what some of these assholes are writing.
Anon, 10:13,
There is no question that Chris Murphy would be a role model for many young people who may wish aspire into politics like himself.
I too hope very much that he keeps writing as well. I also hope very much that the people of the 5th district will take the time to read and evaluate exactly what he writes, and more importantly how he honestly thinks and votes as well.
I hope they firmly hold his feet to the fire and make certain in two years they clearly know if his election, and his actions, have made a positive, non partisan difference or not.
poorly-written? juvenile? jesus, you've just ensured that murphy will never sumbit a post here again. christ, how many other reps or senators have written solely for a non-campaign blog? way to look a gift horse in the mouth.
christ people. the man wrote something for us on his FIRST DAY in office. calm the hell down and be thankful.
Wow!!!! John, Be thankful?????????
I can accept that the young man is impressed with his new surroundings. I couldn't care less if he writes again or not, and I have no intention of being "thankful" if he does or does not.
I would however be very thankful if Mr Murphy actually does the job he promised he would do. So far just a week into his new job I am already starting to see the familar pattern I have come to expect from him.
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