Case sworn in to Congress
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Ed Case's mother gently slipped a maile lei around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Some of the green, aromatic leaves, brought from Hawai'i for the occasion, had fallen off and were scattered around the congressman's sparse new office.
"Looks like we made a mess," Suzanne Case said, laughing. "But it's a Hawai'i mess."
The traditional lei added a dash of island style to Case's neat suit and tie as he was sworn in this afternoon as a member of the 108th Congress. With sons James and David by his side on the House floor, and his wife, Audrey, and his parents watching proudly from the gallery above, Case took the oath of office from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.
Case was not sworn in after he won a special election in November to fill the final weeks of the late Patsy Mink's term because Congress had adjourned for the year. Nasty weather that interrupted his travel plans after winning a second special election Saturday to replace Mink in the new Congress almost cost him another chance at a ceremony.
The House also had to agree to accept the unofficial election results from Saturday and swear Case into office with the other lawmakers rather than wait until the state has certified the results.
"We may look calm and collected, but it's been a hectic 24 hours," a relieved Case said. "We're going to enjoy the day and then get to work tomorrow."
The congressman, who represents rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands, will soon learn his committee assignments and finish hiring a staff. His first committee choices — Ways and Means, Appropriations and Energy and Commerce — are not likely, but he hopes to receive spots on the Transportation and Infrastructure and Agriculture Committees.
Case was technically a congressman for five weeks last session, so he will have seniority over the freshmen who took office today, a small advantage that could grow larger if he builds a lengthy career.
Case said he plans to join the New Democrats, a caucus of moderate lawmakers who work as a bridge between Democrats and Republicans.
"That's where the future of national legislative politics lies," Case said.
His first legislative priority, he said, will be to help the Hawai'i congressional delegation advance a bill that would federally recognize Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people. He also said he would look at legislation to combat illegal drugs, particularly the abuse of "ice," which is a growing problem in the Islands.
"I need to figure out where I can contribute right away," Case said.
But today was a time for a quick celebration, a momentary break from the rush that is politics on Capitol Hill. Cookies and cake, including a white chocolate mold of the Capitol, were laid out on a coffee table in Case's office, as friends and well-wishers dropped by during a day-long open house.
His staff is still setting up, so the beige walls remain cold and bare. One of the few links to home is the state seal on the door.
"I have tremendous shoes to fill," Case said of Mink. "I look forward to living up to the great work that she did. But I will also develop my own style and my own issues."
James Case, the congressman's father, said he believes his son is attuned to the concerns of his constituents but will also follow his own path. "He's very good at understanding the issues and making an independent judgment of what's best and not following the herd," the elder Case said.
