On Tuesday, January 5, 2009, I and the other members of the 111th Congress took the oath of office, initiating a new chapter in our nation's history.  And on January 20th, President-elect Barack Obama will take his oath, signaling the beginning of a new administration in the White House.

During an historic meeting in the White House of all the living presidents -- past, present and future --  President George W. Bush summed up the feelings I believe we all share, when he told Mr. Obama, "One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country.... All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual. And we wish you all the very best. And so does the country."

This is a time of great uncertainty and challenge for the people of Florida and of our nation. Congress and the new administration have a great deal of work to do in the weeks and months ahead.   The first challenge we must address is getting our economy back on track and to understand clearly the root causes and factors that led us to the current situation,” said Putnam, who is a member of the Committee on Financial Services.

It is critical we approach these challenges aggressively, but also consistent with the fundamental principles that are the bedrock of the American system.  The trust my fellow Floridians have placed in me over the years is more than an honor, it is a bond to ensure their views are strongly advocated in Congress. I am eager to move forward on the challenges we face.

If you are planning to travel to Washington, D.C., for any Inaugural events, here is some information that I hope will be of assistance to you. The entire length of the National Mall west of 4th Street will be open to the general public free of charge on January 20, 2009.

You will be able to watch and listen to the ceremony on large screens that will be provided by the Presidential Inaugural Committee along the Mall. The National Mall will open at 4am. You must enter the National Mall from the South. Please visit http://www.nps.gov/inau/index.htm and www.pic2009.org for more information on points of entry to the general viewing area on the Mall. 

Tickets are not required for the Inauguration Parade and it will be open to the general public. The public will be allowed to line up at 7am on Pennsylvania Avenue on January 20th. Please visit http://inauguration.dc.gov/pdf/GPA01-09InaugSecPlans.pdf for a map of pedestrian entry points for the parade route. You can also find out more information at www.pic2009.org. 

I have put together a comprehensive packet of inauguration information which includes tips on public transportation, helpful websites, contact information, frequently asked questions and more. This can be found on my website at http://adamputnam.house.gov/inaugural2009.shtml .