Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. At left, Rep. STEVE ISRAEL administers oath to Rep. LAURA GILLEN as her husband CHRIS FINEGAN holds the Bible, during Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. L-R, Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s brother PETER GILLEN, mother ELAINE GILLEN, and brother JAMES GILLEN pose for photo before the representative’s swearing-in celebration begins at the Elmont Public Library. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. At extreme right, NICOLE GRODNER, Local 290 business representative of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Carpenters (UBC), and other L.I. union members, are guests at Rep. Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman DOROTHY GOOSBY and JONATHAN PREBOST are guests at Rep. Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. Nassau County Legislator SETH KOSLOW is the emcee of Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. At podium, KIM DOMAGE, from Calvary Tabernacle, sings the National Anthem during Rep. Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. From L-R are Reverend MICHAEL NGOKA of St. Agnes Cathedral and Reverend Dr. SEDGWICK EASLEY of Union Baptist Church. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. Standing at left, Reverend MICHAEL NGOKA of St. Agnes Cathedral, goes to Rep. LAURA GILLEN after he gives the Invocation during her swearing-in celebration.(© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. NYS Assemblywoman MICHAELLE SOLAGES gives welcome remarks during Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. L-R, Rep. Laura Gillen’s brother PETER GILLEN, mother ELAINE GILLEN, and two youngest children are listening to NYS Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages’ remarks during the representative’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. Rep. GREGORY MEEKS gives remarks during Rep. Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. L-R, Congresswoman  LAURA GILLEN and her husband CHRIS FINEGAN listen to Congressman Meeks’ remarks during Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. At podium, Rep. STEVE ISRAEL gives remarks during Rep. Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. Seated, L-R, are Reverend MICHAEL NGOKA of St. Agnes Cathedral, Reverend Dr. SEDGWICK EASLEY of Union Baptist Church, Congresswoman LAURA GILLEN, her husband CHRIS FINEGAN, Congressman GREGORY MEEKS, and KIM DOMAGE.  (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. Rep. STEVE ISRAEL makes remarks during Rep. Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. CHRIS FINEGAN gives special remarks before introducing his wife, Congresswoman Laura Gillen, during her swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. CHRIS FINEGAN gives a compliment in a humorous, off-hand way before introducing his wife, Rep. Laura Gillen ,during her swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. Rep. LAURA A. GILLEN ( NY, 4th District) makes remarks during the celebration of her swearing-in as a freshman member of Congress. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. Rep. LAURA GILLEN puts her hands to her heart as she gives remarks during her swearing-in celebration. At right are NYS Assemblywoman MICHAELLE SOLAGES and Nassau County Legislator SETH KOSLOW. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. At podium, Reverend Dr. SEDGWICK EASLEY, of Union Baptist Church, gives the Closing Prayer at Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, New York, U.S. January 25, 2025. At podium, Reverend Dr. SEDGWICK EASLEY, of Union Baptist Church, gives the Closing Prayer, and, from L-R, are Rep. LAURA GILLEN, her husband CHRIS FINEGAN, and Congressman GREGORY MEEKS, at Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. At lower left, NAGINDER SINGH gives Rep. LAURA GILLEN news articles Singh collected about Gillen’s campaign, at the end of the representative’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. L-R, NAGINDER SINGH and Rep. LAURA GILLEN, wearing a fuchsia Indian garment, pose for photo at the end of the representative’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. L-R, ELLEN LEDERER DeFRANCESCO and New York State Senator SIELA BYNOE pose for photo during Rep. Laura Gillen’s swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. At right, a guest hugs New York State Senator SIELA BYNOE at the end of Congresswoman Gillen’s swearing-in celebration . (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S., January 25, 2025. At center, Rep. LAURA GILLEN poses with union members, including from  Local 290 of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, during her swearing-in celebration. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Elmont, N.Y., U.S. January 25, 2025. Congresswoman LAURA GILLEN (Dem. NY-04) speaks during her swearing-in celebration at the Elmont Public Library. At right are Nassau County Legislator SETH KOSLOW and N.Y.S. Assembly Deputy Majority Leader MICHAELLE SOLAGES. (© 2025 Ann Parry, annparry.com)