New London Mayor Excited to Attend Obama’s Swearing-In
MAYOR
The Day
Katie Koch
Boston University Washington News Service
1/16/09
WASHINGTON – Hundreds of the nation’s mayors will descend on Washington this weekend for the annual winter meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors. New London’s mayor, the Rev. Wade A. Hyslop Jr., will be among them but he’s less interested in attending lectures and panel discussions than in witnessing the main event.
“Obviously, the most exciting, important thing is to see the inauguration of the 44th president,” Hyslop said with a laugh.
Hyslop will fly into Baltimore on Monday morning. He plans to stay with his son, Army Sgt. Maj. Bertram Vaughan, who works at the Pentagon and lives in nearby College Park, Md. They have seats to watch Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.
This inauguration holds special meaning for Hyslop. The mayor, who is pastor of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, said he helped organize in the early 1970s one of the first parades honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
“I have always been an avid supporter and follower of Martin Luther King,” Hyslop said. “Looking at one of his dreams coming to fruition is one of most significant things you can see.”
Before he leaves on Friday, Hyslop hopes to spend time with his son, meet with Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and possibly attend the mayors’ conference.
Hyslop said he isn’t worried about the record turnout predicted for Tuesday.
“It’ll probably be a madhouse down there, but also a time when people are going to be jubilant about just being in the crowd,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to finding some camaraderie with people.”
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