By Joy A. Kennelly
I recently had the privilege of attending President Obama's Inauguration and Congresswoman Jane Harmon's Pre-inaugural brunch on Martin Luther King holiday with special guest, Civil Rights Legend and Georgia Senator, John Lewis, one of the original ten who spoke with Martin Luther King when he gave his famous, I Have a Dream, speech.
It was a wonderful experience to hear him speak and here are some pictures to highlight some of our South Bay local political figures who were there as well.
Sorry, Obama wasn't there, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing me with him any way.
Outside
in the ten degree weather and then inside the Phoenix Park Hotel where our brunch was held. Don't you love how close it is to
the Capital?
I bumped into my Hermosa Beach Mayor, JR, upon arrival and we grabbed
this pic with Congresswoman Jane Harmon before she got too busy.
What a
fireball of energy she is! 
There were actually quite a few South Bay residents in attendance. I
met Torrance Mayor, Cliff Numark and his lovely wife, Executive
Producer of Extreme Makeover, Diane Korman, and Manhattan Beach Mayor,
Richard Montgomery and his lovely new bride, Diane.
L to R - MB City Council Member, Nick Tell, Torrance Mayor, Cliff
Numark, State Assembly Member 53rd District, Ted W. Lieu, HB City
Council Member, Michael DiVirgilio, HB Mayor JR Reviczky, and MB Mayor,
Richard Montgomery.
L to R - Torrance Mayor, Cliff Numark and spouse, Diane Korman, Civic
Couch Founder, Brad Jacobson & MB City Council candidate and
spouse, Kathleen Paralusz, two people I don't know, HB Mayor, JR,
Councilwoman 15th District, Janice Hahn, Congresswoman, Jane Harmon,
former MB Mayor, Jim Aldinger, MB City Council Member, Nick Tell, MB
School District member I believe, Amy Howarth and her son.
Janice Hahn is the one wearing orange and is the sister to Jim Hahn, our former Los Angeles Mayor candidate.
Congresswoman,
Jane Harmon gave a very inspirational speech celebrating Democrats and
our new president. Apparently thousands of people
had applied to attend the inauguration and only 198 from our area received tickets. I am very thrilled and
blessed to have been part of this amazing experience.
Astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldren in the foreground
Everyone listened wtih rapt attention.
Jane warmly welcomed Civil Rights Legend and personal friend, John
Lewis to the podium to share his thoughts on Martin Luther King day. It
was extremely moving.
Sidney Harmon, Jane's husband, spoke next and told how involved he'd been in the Civil Rights Movement as well which was very inspirational. He is also good friends with John Lewis.
This is Manhattan Beach Mayor, Richard Montgomery, with Congresswoman Jane Harmon.
This is me with State Assembly Member of the 53rd District, Ted Lieu.
This is Alex, Jane Harmon's Staff Assistant, who was very helpful this whole time. Thanks Alex!
As I left, the sun had risen a little more.
Our South Bay City Government Officials.
We all went out for lunch afterward. RB Mayor, Mike Gin, is in the
foreground. I really enjoyed getting to know people outside my area
better and learning what they're up to in their cities. It was a really
fun and power packed experience.
Here's one picture highlighting my attending the Inauguration too.
More details of my whole trip can be seen on my other blog: Pure, Unadulterated Joy.
Thanks for popping by!
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