U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) was sworn in with the 113th Congress on January 3, 2013, for his 17th term as the U.S. Representative for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District. The Congress gains 84 new House members and 13 freshmen in the Senate. Rogers released the following statement about the start of the 113th Congress:

"It is an honor to begin my 33rd consecutive year serving the people of southern and eastern Kentucky, many of whom have become dear friends, colleagues and advisors.

"Over the years, we have made steady improvements to our region’s infrastructure, job creation, environmental restoration, and economic growth, but the perilous fiscal condition of our country now requires even more leadership and wise decision-making.

"I will continue to press Washington to operate within its means, promote small business growth, enact meaningful entitlement and tax reform, and support our men and women in uniform and our nation’s proud veterans.

" The one thing I'm sure of, is that this is still America, the land of promise and opportunity.

"Thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with me for progress across southern and eastern Kentucky, and entrusting me to be your voice on Capitol Hill for more than three decades."

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