DEMOCRACY IN ACTION VALLEY RESIDENTS HEADING TO INAUGURAL.Byline: Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - For Iranian-born Reza Torkzadeh, the chance to see President George W. Bush take the oath of office An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations. on Thursday is about more than witnessing a historic moment. It's about being part of a celebration of democracy - something he very much wants to see in his parents' homeland. ``This is a very traditional and very special process in our democracy. You get a sense of truly being an American,'' said Torkzadeh, 25, who now lives in Northridge. ``Having a true democracy in the best way that we can is something that people in the Middle East aren't given. It's a freedom that I cherish so greatly. It's important to support that.'' The third-year law student will be among dozens of San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. residents traveling to the nation's capital to witness Bush solemnly swear, for the second time, to faithfully execute the office of president and uphold the Constitution of the United States Constitution of the United States, document embodying the fundamental principles upon which the American republic is conducted. Drawn up at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, the Constitution was signed on Sept. . Those making the trip range from the politically well-connected, eager for a little schmoozing and hobnobbing, to party loyalists Loyalists, in the American Revolution, colonials who adhered to the British cause. The patriots referred to them as Tories. Although Loyalists were found in all social classes and occupations, a disproportionately large number were engaged in commerce and the who want to see the fruits of their labor from a long re-election campaign. Ron Klint of La Crescenta campaigned for Bush and will be attending with his wife and two sons. The retired math and science teacher said that even though he saw Ronald Reagan sworn in twice and is a Bush supporter, he doesn't view the inauguration INAUGURATION. This word was applied by the Romans to the ceremony of dedicating some temple, or raising some man to the priesthood, after the augurs had been consulted. It was afterwards applied to the installation (q.v. as a partisan event. ``I would go to any inauguration I had the opportunity to go to,'' Klint said. ``It's a chance to get back and participate in one of the most important events in our country. ``When the president swears to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this land, it's a very dignified ceremony. It just means a lot to me.'' Klint said he is excited that his sons - Andrew, a 16-year-old junior at Crescenta Valley High School Crescenta Valley High School is an secondary school located at 2900 Community Avenue in La Crescenta-Montrose, an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The school is a part of the Glendale Unified School District. , and Matthew, 18, a political science major at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX - will see the event while they are still in school and able to relate it to their studies. Bruce Bialosky, a GOP donor and former chairman of the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Republican Jewish Coalition The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) (formerly the National Jewish Coalition), founded in 1985, is a political lobbying group in the United States that advocates Jewish support for the Republican Party. , said he also attends inaugurals out of a sense of patriotism. ``Every American should have the opportunity at some time to go to the inauguration of a president,'' he said. ``Sitting there in front of the Capitol building with all its majesty, and the pomp POMP n. A drug used in cancer chemotherapy and composed of purinethol (6-mercaptopurine), Oncovin (vincristine sulfate), methotrexate, and prednisone. and circumstance - to see that and to experience that is extremely emotional.'' Sitting in front of the Capitol is also a chance few average people will have. Members of Congress receive an allotment of about 190 free tickets for constituents, but the vast majority of those are standing-only permits. Seats will be provided for only a select few, including members of Congress and others who, like Bialosky, became a Bush ``pioneer'' by raising more than $100,000 for the re-election campaign and purchased a $2,250 inaugural package. The package includes tickets to an array of luncheons and receptions. But Bialosky said it's the swearing-in that he is looking forward to the most. ``There's very few things I've experienced in my lifetime as an American that compares,'' he said. Dianne Alexander of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. still finds it difficult to explain the powerful sentiments the 2000 inauguration evoked in her. ``It was very exciting. It was drizzling driz·zle v. driz·zled, driz·zling, driz·zles v.intr. To rain gently in fine, mistlike drops. v.tr. 1. and we were standing basically in the mud, but it was so patriotic. When the ceremony started, everybody just dropped their umbrellas in honor,'' she recalled. Four years ago, Alexander was the vice chair of the Bush/Cheney campaign in Ventura County. In the recent election, she ran the campaign headquarters in her hometown. She can't wait to get to Washington again. ``Four years ago, I thought it was dessert after a long campaign,'' Alexander said. ``It's not. It's more. I really can't put it into words. It's very emotional.'' Lisa Friedman, (202) 662-8731 lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) Andrew, Carol and Ron Klint, from left, will be traveling to Washington, D.C., for Thursday's inauguration of President Bush. Ron Klint is a retired Crescenta Valley High School teacher. John McCoy/Staff Photographer Box: TAKING THE OATH Source: Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Graphic: Todd Lindeman, Judy Treible |
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