U.S. Rep. David P. Joyce was sworn in to the 113th Congress by House Speaker John Boehner during a ceremony Thursday in the U.S. Capitol.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Ohio’s 14th District and I look forward to bringing some Ohio common sense to Washington,” Joyce said in a statement. “The voters sent me here to do a job and I will work every day to represent their interests and create jobs back home in the district.”

Prior to service in Congress, Joyce was Geauga County prosecutor. He, his wife Kelly, and their three children reside in Russell Township.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Republican Chairman Bob Bennett congratulated Ohio’s newest Republican Members of Congress David P. Joyce and Brad Wenstrup as they are sworn into the 113th Congress today and praised John Boehner’s re-election as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives calling it another big step for Ohioans.

“Congressman Joyce and Congressman Wenstrup will show dedication in serving their respective districts as they have throughout their public service careers and we’re proud to support them,” Bennett said in a prepared statement. “Congressman John Boehner’s re-election as Speaker is a distinct honor for all Ohioans as he continues the legacy set by fellow Ohio Congressman Nicholas Longworth who was speaker for the 69th, 70th and 71st Congress.

“Speaker Boehner will lead the 113th Congress with the same sincerity, conviction and commitment that he has shown in Congress for his district and for all Ohio.”

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Russell Township, will be sworn in to the 113th Congress on Thursday afternoon by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

Joyce represents Ohio's 14th Congressional District that consists of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, plus parts of Cuyahoga,Portage,  Summit and Trumbull counties.

Boehner will conduct a ceremonial swearing-in for Joyce following the oath of office on the floor of the House of Representatives.

A ceremonial swearing-in photo also will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at The Rayburn Room, H-207, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

With President Barack Obama set to speak Saturday morning at Mentor High School, campaign officials urged voters to cast their ballots early.

Robert Schiebli, vice-chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party, spoke during a press conference Friday afternoon at the Obama campaign’s Mentor field office.

He urged people not to forget their right to vote and to support the president.

“We’re fighting to restore the values that built the largest middle class and the strongest economy the world has ever known — the promise that hard work will pay off, responsibility will be rewarded, and that everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share and plays by the same rules,” Schiebli said.

Obama’s appearance comes just three days before the election as both Republican candidate Mitt Romney and Obama know how important Ohio is to each’s chance for victory.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner, R-Ohio, will begin a statewide get-out-the-vote bus tour on Saturday in support of Romney, Josh Mandel and Ohio Republicans running for Congress.

Boehner will appear at Lake County Republican Party headquarters in Painesville for an event that begins at 6 p.m.

At each stop, Boehner will thank volunteers, tout local candidates, and draw a clear contrast between Romney’s plan to create jobs.

State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, will also give a speech at the Boehner event in Painesville and he plans to discuss the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and this year’s elections.

In-person absentee voting is set to conclude Monday as voters may go to their respective county elections boards from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Below is the schedule of Ohio delegation events for August 28 at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

“We Build It”

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine will feature Rick Santorum for Ohio Delegation Breakfast.



All Ohio delegation breakfasts are located at the Mainsail Conference Center. Breakfasts are open to delegates, alternates, honorary delegates, sponsors and members of the press.

* 9 a.m. - Doors Open
*9:30 a.m. - Event Begins
*Chairman Bob Bennett Ohio Republican Party
*State Sen. Jim Hughes
*Chairman Dale Fellows, Lake County Republican Party
*Mike DeWine, Ohio Attorney General
*Sen. Rick Santorum
The Tuesday Session Schedule at the Tampa Bay Times Forum will feature Republican governors
* 2 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. - Business Session at the Tampa Bay Times Forum
*6:40 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Recess
*7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Convention Session at the Tampa Bay Times Forum
Ohio Key-note Session Speeches:
*Speaker John Boehner is scheduled to speak at approximately 7 p.m.
*Gov. John Kasich is scheduled to speak at approximately 8:10 p.m.
*Lisa Stickan of Ohio, chairwoman of the National Young Republicans, will speak during the business session (begins at 2 p.m.)
Afternoon Reception with Featured Speaker Sen. Rob Portman (closed press)
*4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
*Florida Aquarium - 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

In case you missed it, last week the U.S. House passed a concurrent resolution reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the U.S.

H. Con. Res. 13 is a resolution "Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions." If you're interested in reading the entire resolution (it's very short), you can see it as a PDF, an XML file or the printer-friendly version.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. J. Randy Forbes, a Republican from Virginia's Fourth District. It was introduced in the House back in January (and gained 64 cosponsors), and on Nov. 1 was passed in the House by a 396-9 vote (two members of the House voted "present," while 26 did not vote). On Nov. 2, it was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Check out the Final Vote Results for Roll Call 816 to see how all the members of the House voted. Republican Steven C. LaTourette of Ohio's 14th District and Democrat Marcia Fudge of Ohio's 11th District both voted in favor of the resolution.

You can also read the text of the dialogue from when H. Con. Res. 13 was brought to the floor.

According to Voterama in Congress, critics said time would be better spend on a jobs bill. The Washington Post quoted President Barack Obama sharing the same sentiment:

"In the House of Representatives, what have you guys been doing, John?" Obama said, calling out House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).
"You've been debating a commemorative coin for baseball. You've had legislation reaffirming that 'In God We Trust' is our motto. That's not putting people back to work," Obama said. "I trust in God, but God wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work."

Read more from the Washington Post's story on the resolution.

The House is in recess this week.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl