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SALT LAKE CITY — Burgess Owens and Blake Moore, the Beehive State's two newest congressmen, were sworn into office on Sunday at the U.S. Capitol.
"My great great grandfather came to America in shackles, he died a successful entrepreneur. As a country we've made our mistakes but have always stood as a symbol of what is possible when we are free. As a member of Congress, I promise I'll never stop fighting to preserve that," Owens, R-Utah, tweeted Sunday afternoon.
Owens took the 4th Congressional District seat from Democratic incumbent opponent Ben McAdams during the November election.
Owens, 69, a former NFL player, author and frequent Fox News guest, is the second Black Republican elected to Congress from Utah.
In November, Moore, R-Utah, claimed the 1st Congressional District seat formerly held by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, after Bishop announced last summer he would not seek a ninth term.
Today, with my wife & eldest son by my side, I was sworn in as a Member of the 117th Congress to represent the 1st District of Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives. I'm grateful for all who got us here, & I look forward to bringing the values of UT-01 to DC. #utpolpic.twitter.com/o6WUDvel3m
— Rep. Blake Moore (@RepBlakeMoore) January 3, 2021
Moore is a former U.S. Foreign Service officer who served in Asia and domestically and worked with Cicero Group, a Utah-based management consulting firm, where he's helped businesses grow and organizations solve problems.
"It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 1st District of Utah in the 117th Congress," Moore said in a statement Sunday.
"This is a crucial time in our nation's history, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to represent northern and northeastern Utah. I look forward to championing aspirational, inclusive, and pro-growth ideals, and I will bring the 1st District's values of family, community, and sacrificial service to the U.S. House of Representatives," he said.
Owens retweeted a video shared Sunday by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., that showed the newest Republican members of the House along with a note directed at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.: "Our freshman class is bigger than yours."
"Honored to be part of this exciting, patriotic team," Burgess tweeted.
