By Sean Mussenden
Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON-North Carolina lawmakers looked on as President Barack Obama delivered an inaugural address Monday steeped in examples of the nation overcoming difficult periods in its history.
"At the end of the day, the history now - with the exception of (him becoming) the first African-American president - is in Barack's hands to write," Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said in an interview. "He understands the responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders."
Two new members of Congress from North Carolina - in office less than a month - were also on hand as Obama was sworn in as the 44th president.
Rep. Larry Kissell, D-N.C., said he found the end of Obama's speech particularly relevant as the new president attempts to steer the nation out of an economic downturn.
Obama repeated words George Washington wrote during a particularly dire period of the Revolutionary War that called for the new nation to meet "one common danger."
"We know we have challenges and issues that are as significant as any we have ever faced," Kissell said. "But we know we will succeed and, at some point in the future, look back and know we were able to overcome."
North Carolina's new senator, Kay Hagan, D-N.C., agreed with Obama's assessment that the economic problems call for "action, bold and swift."
"Our work begins in earnest today," Hagan said in a statement. "With a new president and a new Congress, we have no time to waste. Our country is facing some of its greatest challenges in a generation."
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said she found Obama's portrayal of the current state of the economy "too negative."
Foxx said she sympathized with those who have lost their jobs in the current downturn. But, she said, this is "not the worst situation we've faced in this country economically since the Great Depression."
"I think it's possible to talk down about the economy to the point that it hampers the economy," Foxx said in an interview. "Yes, we have problems, and I'm quite familiar with them, but we don't solve our problems by being negative."
Foxx said that she was also concerned that the estimated $800 billion stimulus package Obama and Congressional leaders are preparing to pass by mid-February could expand the deficit, which is expected to grow to $1.2 trillion this year.
Burr said he could have reservations about parts of the stimulus package still taking shape.
"I'll judge everything that's in it based on whether it stimulates broad based economic growth and recovery, and where it doesn't I'll fight to cut it out," he said.
Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@mediageneral.com or 202-662-7668.
"At the end of the day, the history now - with the exception of (him becoming) the first African-American president - is in Barack's hands to write," Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said in an interview. "He understands the responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders."
Two new members of Congress from North Carolina - in office less than a month - were also on hand as Obama was sworn in as the 44th president.
Rep. Larry Kissell, D-N.C., said he found the end of Obama's speech particularly relevant as the new president attempts to steer the nation out of an economic downturn.
Obama repeated words George Washington wrote during a particularly dire period of the Revolutionary War that called for the new nation to meet "one common danger."
"We know we have challenges and issues that are as significant as any we have ever faced," Kissell said. "But we know we will succeed and, at some point in the future, look back and know we were able to overcome."
North Carolina's new senator, Kay Hagan, D-N.C., agreed with Obama's assessment that the economic problems call for "action, bold and swift."
"Our work begins in earnest today," Hagan said in a statement. "With a new president and a new Congress, we have no time to waste. Our country is facing some of its greatest challenges in a generation."
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said she found Obama's portrayal of the current state of the economy "too negative."
Foxx said she sympathized with those who have lost their jobs in the current downturn. But, she said, this is "not the worst situation we've faced in this country economically since the Great Depression."
"I think it's possible to talk down about the economy to the point that it hampers the economy," Foxx said in an interview. "Yes, we have problems, and I'm quite familiar with them, but we don't solve our problems by being negative."
Foxx said that she was also concerned that the estimated $800 billion stimulus package Obama and Congressional leaders are preparing to pass by mid-February could expand the deficit, which is expected to grow to $1.2 trillion this year.
Burr said he could have reservations about parts of the stimulus package still taking shape.
"I'll judge everything that's in it based on whether it stimulates broad based economic growth and recovery, and where it doesn't I'll fight to cut it out," he said.
Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@mediageneral.com or 202-662-7668.