Matt Lesser, Dan Drew Represent Middletown at 'Awe-Inspiring' Inauguration

As President Barack Obama took the oath of office Monday, in the audience were Middletown’s young mayor and state representative, as well as members of Middletown High School’s band and chorus. 

Mayor Dan Drew was wowed by the ceremonies and humbled at the opportunity to take part in a historical moment.

“It’s hard to put into words because it’s so awe-inspiring and majestic. Not just because I was a supporter of the President and he won, but really because we’re celebrating the peaceful transition of power. We’re celebrating the continuance of the republic and our democratic institution and the ability of people to self-govern by choosing their own representative.”

State Rep. Matthew Lesser, D-100th, paid special note to Obama’s speech.

“I was impressed by the seriousness and the toughness of the President's message. He tied the Declaration of Independence and the still revolutionary idea that all men are created equal to the challenges and ideological battles of today. The debates are nothing new — we have been wrestling with the responsibilities of government for over 200 years.”

It was the first inauguration for both men. “When you step back and think about the majesty of it all and this grand experiment that is America, it’s really humbling and incredible to be a part of something so big,” said Drew, who was joined this weekend by his wife Kate.

On the bus ride back to Middletown, Drew reflected on what touched him most about Obama’s inaugural address.

“The call for shared service and common understanding of our problems and unification of all the disparate interests that are in our country had echoes of Franklin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt and President Lincoln. I think President Obama seized today in his speech on a very important moment in our history to remind us that we need to move together.

“Whenever America has prospered, we’ve done well when we do it with one voice and one people,” he said.

Lesser said Sunday was spent attending a Connecticut inaugural reception with Gov. Malloy, Sens. Blumenthal and Murphy and the Congressional delegation. Both he and Drew are delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

“This morning, I had to get up early to make it through all the security,” Lesser said Sunday, “but the event was extremely well-organized and although we had to wait 90 minutes or so in line, everyone was polite and in good spirits. The weather wasn't too cold, particularly when the sun peeked out. I'm told that this was the warmest Inauguration Day since 1993.”

Lesser videotaped Obama’s oath of office with his cell phone. “Another legislator somehow snagged me a seat right in front of the Capitol steps which gave an amazing view. Directly in front of us sat Medal of Honor recipients, real American heroes who deserved a front-row seat.”

He said the Sandy Hook tragedy was firm in everyone’s minds. “The President and Poet Richard Blanco both made mention of the Newtown shooting in a way I found comforting and respectful. Several victims' family members and Newtown clergy are in Washington this holiday, a sign of the pressure on policymakers to do more to keep our children safe.”

Lesser, who's assistant majority leader at the Connecticut House of Representatives, said he’s back at work at the State Capitol Tuesday, and no taxpayer funds paid for this trip.

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