It was postponed due to the big snow storm, It started late, but when it was all over Andy King's inauguration received a grade of "A+" from the filled auditorium at Evander Child High School. This was a well mixed event that was hosted by Mr. Michael Harmon of the United Federation of Teachers. Yes there were a few boring speeches by one or two elected officials, but there were performances in between the speeches that made you want to sing or dance along.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Public Advocate Letitia James, new City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Gustavo Rivera, several Bronx assembly members, several fellow city council members, and others who are important to the King family as you will see in the photos below.
As they came up to speak every elected official who spoke praised Andy King for the hard work he had done on his way to becoming the councilman from the 12th council district. Many knew Andy from before he was elected, and were glad to see that the 12th council district is finally getting the representation that did not come from Andy's predecessor.
The performances between speeches all received standing ovations from the audience, but the best was yet to come. After the swearing in ceremony Councilman King said that he had two surprises that he was going to announce. First Andy had two young boys bring out a mural that turned out to be a flag that he said was going to be the flag of the 12th Council District. The councilman described what each and every detail on the flag stood for, and the reason for the flag.
Councilman King's second surprise involved his father Andy King Sr. Andy Jr. said that he was thrilled that his mother and father could be on stage to share this enjoyment with him, and he added that the day was his father's 77th birthday. If I left out the swearing in part just see the photos below.
Left - U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is between new City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Mr. Lenny Caro of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Right - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, District Leader Lou Goldstein, Speaker Melissia Mark-Viverito, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.
Front row- U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Bronx BP Ruben DiazJr., Congressman Charles Rangel, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Second row Councilman Andrew Choen, Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Mr. Lenny Caro, Ms. Slyvia Laisk (hidden), Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.
Left - Former City Comptroller John Liu is seated in front of Councilman Ritchie Torres and Rayblin Vargas of TWU Local 100.
Right - Councilman Andy King stood up to join in with the dancing.
Three generations of the King family pose with Judge Armando Montano before the ceremony.
Left - With his daughter Katie holding the bible Councilman Andy King is sworn into office by Judge Montano.
Right - Andy hugs his wife Neva right after being sworn in.
Left - Councilman King displays the new 12th council district flag.
Right - Councilman King announces that the day of his inauguration is also his father Andy King Sr.'s 77th birthday.
