Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell today took the oath of the state’s highest office shortly after 12 noon in a simple ceremony on the north steps of the State Capitol in Hartford.

When sworn in, Mrs. Rell, 58, became the 87^th Governor of the State of Connecticut, the second woman in state history to hold the office and the first Republican woman ever to serve as governor.

Governor Rell’s husband, Louis Rell, held the Bible during the ceremony. Joining them on the dais was their daughter and son-in-law, Meredith and Matthew O’Connor, and son, Michael, 30. Francis J. Collins, of Brookfield, Speaker of the House from 1973-1974, served as master of ceremonies.

Immediately following her swearing in, military honors were rendered including musical honors by the 102d Army Band and a 19-gun, 105mm howitzer salute by the Connecticut Army National Guard. 

Prior to the ceremony, Lt. Governor Rell and Mr. Rell were escorted to the north Capitol steps through a military honor cordon representing all the units of the Connecticut National Guard and state militia, including veterans who have served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Connecticut State Police and Department of Corrections color guards.

Lt. Governor Rell was also escorted by the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums along with Maj. Gen. William A. Cugno, Connecticut’s Adjutant General and commander of the National Guard.

Sitting with Mrs. Rell on on the official dais were Pfc. William Zampaglione, of Torrington, and Pfc. Steven Wabrek, of New Hartford, who were both were awarded Purple Hearts after being injured in Baghdad while with Connecticut Guard’s 143d Military Police Company.

- END -