The first time in history a married man of a same-sex couple was sworn in as a Member of Congress.

[Jackpine Radical]

Jackpine,

My first week in Congress has been an exciting whirlwind!

I was sworn in with my husband Phil at my side, making it the first time in history a married man of a same-sex couple was sworn in as a Member of Congress.

I'm excited to announce I will serve on the House Budget Committee, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and as an Assistant Minority Whip in the Democratic Caucus.

I am no stranger to tough budget decisions or holding our government accountable. I spent 14 years in the Wisconsin Assembly standing up for Wisconsin’s working men and women, and I will keep protecting the middle class in Congress.

It was your hard work, dedication, and support that got me here, and I am deeply grateful for everything you did.

Now it’s time for me to roll up my sleeves.

The issues facing us now couldn’t be more important, and I’m ready to defend against any attacks to working families.

I want to hear your feedback, your stories, and most of all, I am honored to have your continued support.

Thank you for making 2012 a historic, successful year. With your help, we will keep moving our great state and country forward.

Sincerely,

Mark Pocan
Congressman, WI-02

[CurtEastPoint]

1. most excellent!

and why is Wisconsin so conservative? Curious!

[Jackpine Radical]

5. WI ranges from right-wing wacko areas to flat-out socialists.

It was the home of both Joe McCarthy and Bob LaFollette. Milwaukee elected socialist mayors until the 60's. At the other end of the state, in Superior, a Communist Finnish-language newspaper was published until 1998.

[CurtEastPoint]

6. Didn't know that. So you all embrace 'diversity' LOL! Georgia's like that, too, to an extent.

[LeftInTX]

7. LaFollette is revered. McCarthy is never mentioned.

At least that is how it was when I lived there.
My grandparents were members of the Socialist Party in Milwaukee.

[thesquanderer]

10. Also home to Russ Feingold (n/t)

[bettyellen]

2. Awesome!

[DevonRex]

3. Sigh. My eyes got all misty.

I see it's gonna be one of those days in which I cry at commercials on TV and nice posts on du. Thanks JR.

[joeybee12]

4. KNR!

[MadrasT]

8. Awesome.

[Jim Lane]

9. Congrats to him and his husband, but I have a question

I'm surprised to read that a freshman, of any sexual orientation, has been designated as an Assistant Minority Whip. Even assuming they have several people with that title, you'd think that the Whip function, especially, would be performed most effectively by more experienced members, who at least already know the names of most of the other Democrats.

Does the caucus typically include one or more freshmen among the Assistant Minority Whips, on the theory that they can be the liaisons to the other freshmen? Or is Congressman Pocan blazing a trail in this respect, also?

[In_The_Wind]

11. ~ K ~

[PeaceNikki]

12. he also took oath on the Constitution, not the Bible

Sure to piss off the fundies.

I adore Mark and am so proud of him and the Wisconsin democrats.