January 6, 2004

Legislator Joseph Scannell and Fifth County Legislature Installed at Induction Ceremony

Mineola, NY – Legislator Joseph Scannell took the oath of office as a Nassau County Legislator for the third time on Tuesday, January 6, vowing that he will continue to make the difficult decisions to protect the future of the county and its residents.

Democratic lawmakers, who will again hold a 10-9 majority, were sworn in by Judge Arthur Spatt at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the Physical Fitness Center of Nassau Community College. Legislator Scannell said maintaining the majority will ensure that the legislative and administrative agendas, outlined by Democratic County Executive Thomas Suozzi and the majority in the election two years ago, will continue to move forward.

“We have made tremendous strides during the past two years. The election of a Democratic majority again will mean that our goals and the goals of the administration will continue to be realized as we head into the future. There is no going back to the way it was. There is only moving ahead,” said Legislator Scannell.

Legislator Scannell has served for the past four years. He is chair of the Public Safety Committee, and vice chair of the Judiciary and Towns, Villages and Cities committees. He is also a member of the Rules Committee.

Attending the induction ceremony were New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who administered the oath of office to Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs and Congressman Peter King, who administered the oath of office to minority leader Peter Schmitt. County Executive Thomas Suozzi offered a welcome from the County and Comptroller Hevesi provided a welcome from the state.

The procession included the Nassau County Police Department Color Guard and Nassau County Emerald Society Pipes & Drum. Middle School students from the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District performed The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was sung by the Freeport Select Chorale. Msgr. Thomas Hartman, of the Archdiocese of Rockville Centre, conducted the invocation, and opening remarks were provided by Matthew T. Crosson, President of the Long Island Association.

Rabbi Alan Lavin of the Wantagh Jewish Center and President of the Long Island Board of Rabbis offered a closing prayer.