Washington – Ed Perlmutter strode through the marble corridors of Capitol Hill, minutes away from swearing an oath that will make him a member of the U.S. Congress.
It’s a short walk, and Perlmutter savored every step.
The Democrat from Golden saw his three daughters and stopped for hugs and kisses. He paused to high-five an aide.
Perlmutter and his family spilled outside and saw the Capitol dome. “I want a picture,” Perlmutter’s mother exclaimed. Everyone posed. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, suddenly appeared at the corner with his wife and daughter. Cameras clicked again.
“What a glorious day,” Perlmutter exclaimed. He was referring to the weather, but his assessment captured much more.
Thursday, as Democrats took back control of Congress, new members relished their personal moments in the spotlight.
Perlmutter – along with Colorado’s other new congressman, Republican Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs – enjoyed a day filled with family, pictures, handshakes, hugs, and the realization that they are now part of Congress.
“It’s just a tremendous honor and privilege,” Lamborn said after he was sworn in. “It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Lamborn and Perlmutter took the oath of office after voting in the election of Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California as Speaker of the House. They sat in the packed House chamber, along with the other members of Colorado’s congressional delegation.
Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, grabbed a front-row seat, accompanied by his three grandchildren, Thomas, 11, William, 7 and Michael, 1. Like other children in the chamber, William squirmed in his seat during the lengthy proceeding.
Udall sat beside his daughter, Tess, 16, and Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, brought her two daughters Raphaela, 17, and Francesca, 13.
Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., came into the chamber to watch his brother, Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, take the oath of office.
In the vote for House speaker, all three Republicans in Colorado’s delegation voted for Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, over Democrat Pelosi.
“For my grandchildren’s future, I vote John Boehner,” Tancredo said in casting his vote.
Throughout the day, family, friends and well-wishers surrounded Perlmutter and Lamborn. In Lamborn’s office before the swearing in, supporters packed the room, including a friend he’s known since kindergarten
Ken Salazar appeared in the room and hugged Perlmutter’s father, Leonard. Salazar then hugged Perlmutter.
“Let’s hear it for Perlmutter!” Salazar yelled, and began clapping. The room erupted in applause. Perlmutter’s nephew, Braden Polster, 5, gave his uncle a high five.
Around the corner from Perlmutter’s office, Lamborn’s five children, relatives and friends, gathered in his office to watch the ceremony. His wife, Jeanie, and her parents watched the ceremony inside the Capitol.
After he was sworn in and returned to his office, a cheer went up.
“Congressman!” someone yelled. Lamborn kissed his daughter, Eve, 26. Cameras clicked. He hugged his wife. More pictures.
Jeanie Lamborn spotted a shiny red pin on her husband’s lapel, the pin given to members of the new Congress.
“Ooooooh, is that your pin?” she asked. “Now he’s official.”
Staff writer Anne C. Mulkern can be reached at 202-662-8907 or amulkern@denverpost.com.
