Governor Rell Takes Office surrounded by a many. Photo by Reggie Hales

Hartford -M.Jodi Rell has taken office. At noon today Governor Rell was swore in to office. Rufly 200 hundred officals and family and friends were on hand to witness the transformation of new leadership for Connecticut." I will clean up our goverment and secure a better and more ethical goevernment for Connecicut, said Rell"

With Governor Rowland's resignation announcement last week taking the state by surprise, many feel he did the right thing. With a mounting Federal investigation in progress, Rowland felt it was best to save the state from more anguish. With his resignation and his last day being July 1 at noon. Lt. Governor M.Jodi Rell became the next and first women governor in more than 20 years. Clearing the way for Senate Pro Temp Kevin Sullivan to be the next Lt. Governor. Governor Rowland moved out of the Executive residence Wednesday and into a rental home in West Hartford, CT. as of today he will be a private citizen.Kevin Sullivan was swore in as LT. Governor at 2pmtoday, thursday.

The State is went all out in welcoming Governor Rell into office on today, Thursday. A large swearing in ceremony took place at the Capital on the north lawn. With canon fire salutes and marching bands from the Governors Foot Guard as well as a parade of State Troopers. It was a great day, for a new beginning in Connecticut's history.

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

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

Lt. Gov. Rell specifically requested that her historic oath be administered in an open setting that would provide maximum accessibility to the public and the media. Approximately 500 audience seats are be set up on the north Capitol walkway. Members of the public will be allowed to sit in the audience as well as stand on the northeast lawn. Additionally, the public can view the ceremony live on television in Hearing Room 2C in the Legislative Office Building.

The Lt. Governor?s Office sent approximately 300 invitations to legislators, local officials, members of the Judicial Branch, commissioners, and friends.

Current and former senior elected Connecticut officials attenedd include Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Rep. John B. Larson, Rep. Christopher Shays, Rep. Robert R. Simmons, former Lt. Gov. Joseph J. Fauliso, former Lt. Gov. Eunice S. Groark, as well as the state?s Constitutional Officers. Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty (D-RI) will also attend, representing Gov. Donald L. Carcieri (R-RI).

"This is a both a difficult and a historic day for Connecticut," said Lt. Governor Rell. "It is my hope that officials and the public will join me at this time and place to help begin the healing process. It is time for us to come together as one and look towards our future."

Connecticut Supreme Court Justice William J. Sullivan administed Lt. Gov. Rell the oath of office on a small platform on the Capitol?s north steps set on the side of the podium to provide maximum viewing. Her husband, Mr. Louis Rell, 63, held a family Bible during the swearing in ceremony. Also witnessing her swearing in at her side will be daughter and son-in-law, Meredith, 33, and Matthew O'Connor, of Denver, Colo., and son, Michael, 30, of West Hartford.

Immediately following her swearing in, military honors, rendered for the first time to the state's 87th Governor including musical honors by the 102d Army Band and a 19-gun, 105mm howitzer salute by the Connecticut Army National Guard. The 19-gun salute is a military tradition dating back hundreds of years that marks the seamless transition of power from one commander-in-chief to the next.

In addition to becoming the 87th Governor, with her oath of office Lt. Gov. Rell becomes the commander-in-chief of the state's 5,000-member Army and Air National Guard and four historic militia units.

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 the 1st and 2nd Company Governor's Foot Guards and the 1st and 2nd Company Governor's Horse Guards. The honor cordon include recent veterans who have served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Also symbolizing her new role as head of the executive branch of government, the Connecticut State Place and Department of Corrections will participate with color guards that joined the National Guard honor formation.

A longtime supporter of firefighters and first responders, Lt. Governor Rell asked the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums to escort her to the steps of the north Capitol along with Maj. Gen. William A. Cugno, Connecticut?s Adjutant General and commander of the National Guard.

As it has for more than two hundred years, the State Military Department is responsible for the overall coordination and execution of the governor's swearing in ceremony.

Lt. Governor Rell has invited two special military guests to be seated with her on the official dais. Pfc. William Zampaglione, of Torrington, and Pfc. Steven Wabrek, of New Hartford, both were awarded Purple Hearts after being injured by roadside bombs in Baghdad while serving overseas as members of the Connecticut Guard's 143d Military Police Company.

Lt. Gov. Rell, who energized the collection of care packages for the troops over the holidays, met both these veterans and their families during their recoveries over the past year. Mrs. Rell officially presented the Purple Heart Medal to Pfc. Wabrek, who has undergone dozen of surgeries to repair injuries to his legs. Wabrek has traveled from Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to attend today's ceremony. Pfc. Zampaglione's step-daughter, Chloe, age 5, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The last Governor to be sworn in on the north steps of the Capitol was Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. on January 9, 1991.