Panetta takes oath of office in Washington D.C.

Surrounded by family and colleagues, Jimmy Panetta was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives Tuesday by Speaker Paul Ryan.

The Monterey democrat will represent California’s 20 th Congressional District, which includes all of Monterey and San Benito Counties and southern portions of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.

In a press statement, Panetta said, “Throughout my life, I’ve been devoted to public service and it’s an honor to now serve the Central Coast in Congress. “I’m ready to bring fresh energy, independent thinking and a bipartisan collaborative spirit to Washington to move our nation forward and get things done.”

Congressman Panetta was joined by his wife, Carrie McIntyre Panetta, two daughters, Siri and Gia, and his parents, Secretary Leon and Mrs. Sylvia Panetta, at Tuesday’s ceremony.