Cazayoux takes oath, joins House

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: May 7, 2008 - Page: 16A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux, a small-town lawyer and former state representative, was sworn in Tuesday as the new congressman for Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District.

The New Roads Democrat took the oath of office about 12:30 p.m. on the floor of the House, before joining family and friends in the ceremonial room of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Cazayoux’s addition gives Democrats a 235 to 199 edge in the House, where Democrats have picked up two Republican seats in special elections held this year.

“Congratulations,” Pelosi said. “You are now a member of the United States House of Representatives.”

The matriarch of the Louisiana congressional delegation, former U.S. Rep. Lindy Boggs, D-New Orleans, sat in the front row for the swearing in. Cazayoux is a distant relative of the 92-year-old New Roads native.

The ceremonies capped a whirlwind weekend for Cazayoux, who was elected Saturday to fill the unexpired term of former U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge. Baker, who was dean of the delegation with 21 years of service, stepped down on Feb. 2 to become the head of a national hedge fund group.

Cazayoux, a 44-year-old married father of three, spent Tuesday swept up in the current of a frenzied day trying to get situated in his new office.

“My mind hasn’t caught up with my body,” Cazayoux said a few hours before the swearing in.

Cazayoux likened the experience to arriving on the first day of school.

“It’s like go this way and go down this hall,” Cazayoux said. “And here’s your locker.”

Cazayoux is familiar with Washington, having obtained his law degree from nearby Georgetown University. He was given his House lapel pin, which gives members access to the House floor. Cazayoux didn’t realize the importance of the pin.

“I didn’t want to wear it,” he said. “They made me put it on.”

The day also was a new experience for Cazayoux’s staff. A staffer from Pelosi’s office was on hand to give the Cazayoux team instructions on everything from parking to obtaining identification tags.