Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald attends 'very emotional' Biden inauguration

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said he was moved beyond words to witness Wednesday’s presidential inaugural events in person.

“Standing in the shadows of the Capitol, you could feel the weight of our history on the shoulders of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” Fitzgerald said.

At 78, Biden is the oldest president and Harris is the first Black, female and Asian-American vice president.

“It was a very emotional experience to be there to see Vice President Harris be sworn in, to see President Biden take the oath of office,” Fitzgerald said. “It was just a moving experience because of everything we’ve gone through the last four years, particularly the last year and few months.”

In normal times, an inaugural crowd can fill the National Mall between the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial. But the coronavirus pandemic coupled with security concerns following the rioting at the Capitol two weeks ago meant the crowd was slight.

There was also a heavy military presence in Washington that made getting around the city tougher than it normally is, Fitzgerald said. To attend, he arrived Tuesday and was tested for covid. He and U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, arrived hours before the ceremony started at 11 a.m.

Each member of Congress was allowed one guest. Fitzgerald, a Democrat, has been a staunch supporter of Lamb.

“There were probably fewer than 1,000 people out there in the crowd,” Fitzgerald said.

Because of that, they were closer to the stage than normal, and Fitzgerald watched as Lamb worked, speaking to other members of Congress there.

“I was so glad I was able to be there,” Fitzgerald said. “I can’t even express the words … at times I got chills and choked up. You realize how close our country came to losing our democracy.”

As President @JoeBiden is sworn in, I just want to say thank you.

For all you've taught me. For keeping the faith & taking on this great challenge. For having the courage to lead us at this perilous time.

We're counting on you to succeed. And I'll do everything I can to help. pic.twitter.com/Gq7zePX1CA

— Conor Lamb (@ConorLambPA) January 20, 2021

Lamb tweeted his thanks to Biden.

“I just want to say thank you. For all you’ve taught me. For keeping the faith & taking on this great challenge. For having the courage to lead us at this perilous time,” Lamb wrote. “We’re counting on you to succeed. And I’ll do everything I can to help.”

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials were also in Washington for the event to help with security.

Good morning, Pittsburgh, on this historic day from our nation’s capital. pic.twitter.com/9lAEWDqPeN

— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) January 20, 2021