Staff Writer
The Inauguration of President Barack Obama, January 20, 2009, marks a milestone for U.S. history. Three of Maine’s elected officials, Senator Susan Collins, Senator Olympia Snowe, and Congressman Mike Michaud will be attending the inauguration. “The 56th Presidential Inauguration will mark an incredible milestone in American history that will be long remembered and commemorated for generations to come,” said Sen. Snowe, who will be attending the inauguration with her husband, Jack, “that’s why I’m all-the-more proud and thrilled that Maine will be wonderfully represented by the fine young men and women of the Sanford High School Band marching in the Presidential Inauguration Parade, and I am delighted that thousands of Mainers will be traveling to our nation’s capital to participate in this landmark moment.”
“Inaugurations are always exciting,” said Sen. Collins, “the National Mall is expected to be filled with people from all over the country. It is truly an honor to take part in this historic inauguration and to witness this peaceful transfer of power,” she added.
“It is a tremendous feeling,” said Congressman Michaud, “There is an air of change in our nation’s capital. Despite the troubled economy, I am very optimistic that we will be able to get things done for the American people,” he added, “as the incoming president and vice president have stated already, they will work collaboratively with Congress and consult with us regularly; I appreciate that because we have big challenges ahead that will require bipartisan cooperation.”
“The solutions to our gravest problems are not ideological,” Congressman Michaud continued, “They are not Democrat or Republican; I don’t care who gets credit for what. We must work together to get the right policies passed. Mainers expect nothing less.”
“People in Maine consistently tell me that they’re tired of partisan politics, and I agree with them,” said Sen. Collins, “Our nation faces many serious challenges, such as the troubled economy, a dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and a health care system under serious pressure. Now that the elections are behind us, it is time for all of us to come together, in a bipartisan way, sit down, negotiate, and start solving problems. Both President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden have indicated that they want to change the tone in Washington. I am hopeful that they will reach out to those of us in the Senate, in a bipartisan way, to try and address these challenges,” she added.
Sen. Snowe also encourages bipartisanship in Washington:
“Just as January 20 represents a day of tremendous celebration, and as we honor the nation’s first African-American president, this occasion also offers all of us a rare opportunity for ushering in a new era of governance – one where reaching across party lines to garner solutions and get things done is not the exception but the norm,” said Sen. Snowe, “In phone conversations with both President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President Biden, I have conveyed that message and have reinforced my pledge of support that I will do everything possible to help forge a spirit of bipartisanship as we address the serious, consequential issues facing our land.”
Whereas Sen. Collins, Sen. Snowe, and Congressman Michaud seem to agree on bipartisanship, they also seem hopeful towards change.
“I am hopeful that the change in Washington —with this new Congress and the incoming administration — will enable us to take action,” said Congressman Michaud, “Mainers are ready for a positive new agenda that invests in our shared priorities of job creation and economic stability.”
“Since first being elected to represent the Second Congressional District of Maine, I have strived each and every day to make sure that the voices of our state are heard at the federal level,” he added, “I pledge to continue that mission and I am excited to work with the incoming administration to turn our economy around and create jobs; I am optimistic that we can seize this opportunity.”
“With soon-to-be President Obama at the helm of the ship of state, we must unite behind financial policies that will strengthen the American economy, turn the tide on unemployment, safeguard those who are severely displaced by this downturn, and begin to spur job-creation in Maine and across the country,” Sen. Snowe said, “we will also have to stem the skyrocketing costs of health care, work to create a stronger U.S. trade policy, and vigorously combat the adverse effects of climate change.”
According to Aroostook native Sen. Collins, she will be attending the inauguration along with hundreds of Mainers who will be making the trip to Washington, including some from Aroostook County.
“I am honored to represent the great State of Maine in the U.S. Senate, and I am particularly proud of my Aroostook County roots,” she said, “No matter where you are, whether you are watching on television from The County or in the shadow of the Capitol, this is truly a landmark event in American history.”
