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Inauguration overwhelms valley observers Atkinson: a �purely American� experience By Dani Dodge Watching President George W. Bush being sworn in as the nation�s 43rd president was "a moment of a lifetime" for state Sen. Jason Atkinson. "The neat thing about this is this experience was purely American," said Atkinson, a Republican from Jacksonville who attended Saturday�s ceremony in Washington, D.C. "They were saluting the former president and swearing in the new one. It was very respectful. And from a worldwide perspective, it�s amazing. "You come to this not as a partisan, but you come to this and you are here as an American." Atkinson, a former state representative, was elected to the Oregon Senate in November. He and his wife, Stephanie, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week as part of a delegation from Oregon attending the inaugural weekend. The delegation included House Speaker Mark Simmons, R-Elgin, a close friend of Atkinson�s and the highest-ranking elected state official from the Oregon delegation. Atkinson and Simmons traveled to the nation�s Capitol on a red eye Thursday night from Salem. The two represented Oregon when they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday. Atkinson said he was "overwhelmed by emotion" at the ceremony. "Everything I�ve done in public service is nothing compared to what they gave up and the symbolism in that moment of laying that wreath," Atkinson said. "It makes my service seem pretty small in comparison." The couple stayed in a hotel within walking distance of the event. And while Atkinson took his tux and Stephanie a gown for balls Saturday night, they "dressed like Oregonians" for the inauguration. It was cords and jeans all the way. "We put on our rain gear and hats and stomped out there with the rest of America," Atkinson said. "It was muddy and wet. Just like Oregon, except colder." The couple had tickets to seats only 150 yards from President Bush and could hear and see everything perfectly. "I have a digital movie of his swearing in," Atkinson said. "If anything, it was too loud. And even though it was dark and gray out, the TV cameras made the stage like bright white." Atkinson said the dignity of the ceremony was awe-inspiring. "People were behind us for acres and acres," Atkinson said. "Yet, it was respectful and quiet all he way back." The loudest applause came when Bush emphasized he still intends to pass a tax cut, but the most moving part of the speech for Atkinson was about three-quarters of the way through when he talked about the importance of compassion. "He talked about being responsible and compassionate one little instance at a time," Atkinson recalled. "And changing the tone in America from partisan and divisive, to one of everyone reaching out." Atkinson said he�s immensely pleased he could be in the capital for the historic moment. "It�s been a couple days of things I�ll never forget," Atkinson said. "I live for every moment, but how many times to do you get to do this?" Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.