Baton Passed, Congressman Inaugurated

By Jano Tantongco

jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

To symbolize the passing of the baton, former Congressman Steve Israel hands over a copy of the House rules and U.S. Constitution to Thomas Suozzi, who will now represent the 3rd Congressional District.

Thomas Suozzi (D-Huntington), former Nassau County executive, was sworn in as a member of the 115th Congress on Tuesday, replacing Steve Israel as the representative of the 3rd Congressional District.

Suozzi was joined by his family, including wife Helene and children Joe, Caroline and Michael, and supporters for the swearing in and reception in Washington, D.C.

“It’s a great honor to be entrusted as your voice in the nation’s Capital,” Suozzi said in a statement. “I look forward to working with all of you and my colleagues in Washington, from both sides of the aisle, to get things done for the families of Long Island and Queens.”

On the first day of the year, Suozzi and Israel converged at the Glen Cove City Hall for a “Passing of the Baton” ceremony. Suozzi had also previously served as Glen Cove’s mayor for four terms.

There, Israel handed to the new congressman a copy of the constitution and House rules. They were joined by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, local clergy from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faith and community leaders across the district.

Suozzi won the seat in the Nov. 8 election. The 3rd Congressional District cuts a swath along the north shore of Long Island from northeast Queens through the towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, east to Huntington and Smithtown

Last week, Suozzi opened his district office on Park Avenue in Huntington, on the same property where former 19th-century Congressman Silas Wood once lived.

As of Wednesday, former eight-term Congressman Israel now serves as chairman of the newly formed LIU Global Institute at Long Island University and will also serve as distinguished writer in residence.