Tonko

WASHINGTON — Democratic Congressman-elect Paul D. Tonko of Amsterdam, whose district includes part of Fulton County and all of Montgomery County, said this morning he was “very excited” as he was due to be sworn in later today as one of 54 freshman congressmen in the 111th Congress. “It’s a great anticipation,” Tonko said. He said he also is eager to begin work on the nation’s and Mohawk Valley’s issues with Democratic President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office in two weeks. “It’s a mix of emotions,” said Tonko. “There’s a lot of excitement I share with my freshmen colleagues [in Congress].” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was due to swear in Tonko and his new colleagues late this afternoon in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol Building. Pelosi was due to conduct an individual ceremonial swearing-in for Tonko following the oath of office for all members on the floor of the House of Representatives.