WEST POINT – Congressman and alumnus Pat Ryan was ceremoniously sworn at the United States Military Academy’s Eisenhower Hall on Sunday for the 18th Congressional District.
Ryan will serve as the first West Point graduate to ever represent the United States Military Academy’s district in Congress.
“As I look out over the Hudson, it’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “It’s a full circle moment, and to be the first graduate to represent the academy in Congress is something I am really proud of and take that responsibility. I am really excited.”
Ryan graduated from West Point in 2004, and he was nominated to attend four years earlier by then Representative Charles Schumer. Schumer is now the Senate majority leader, and he swore Ryan in during the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of people.
“Our democracy is at great risk, I believe,” he told his well-wishers.
“We have to figure out how to restore trust, and we do that by actually delivering for people. Infrastructure projects, easing the costs for everything at the grocery store, the gas pump and fighting for fundamental rights, so yes, we have a lot work ahead. I am confident if we do the work, we can start to rebuild that trust.”
When Ryan heads back to Washington he’ll work with his minority Democratic caucus and a Republican caucus that holds a very slim majority.
“There are factions within that slim majority that seem to want to hamstring or destroy our democracy,” and Ryan said the real challenge is not to let them do that and instead restore trust in our elected officials to make decisions that benefit the majority of Americans.
