The Rev. George O. Stewart, pastor Zion Chapel Baptist Church in Cleveland, gave the invocation and Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, pastor Lighthouse Full Life Center Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, had the crowd on their feet as he gave the benediction.

Quoting Shakespeare, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge took over the reigns of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 113th Congress as its new chair at swearing-in ceremonies Thursday, Jan. 3.

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances and one man, in his time, plays many parts.”

Whether it is a violation of human rights in Africa or the compromise of our civil or constitutional rights inAmerica, we’ve worked across borders and boundaries onbehaf of the voiceless in every corner of this country and around the globe. Indeed, the world has been a stage for the Congressional Black Caucus,” Fudge told the audience.

“Every member of the CBC has weighed in on the most critical issues of our time, standing up for what’s right even if you may never hear about it,” she continued.

“In the words of Barbara Jordan, the first African American women from the south elected to the House of Representatives, ‘the imperative is to define what is right and then do it’ and in our case we do it even when no one knows. Under my leadership, we will continue to ‘do it,’” Fudge said.

“The Congressional Black Caucus is and has always been the conscience of the Congress.  Every day, we do our very best to stay true to this mission. The world is a stage. It is what we do when we are on this stage, what we do during our time, that makes all the difference.”

Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Cynne Simpson, Morning Anchor ABC 7 News.

Program participants included Nancy Polisi, Minority Leader; Krisa Haggins, interim president & CEO Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc,; Gina F. Adams, senior vice president for Government Affairs FedEx Corporation.

The Honorable Benita Y. Pearson, United States District Court, Northern District ofOhioswore in the members of Congress and installed the officers.

Outgoing CBC Chair Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II introduced Fudge.

The Rev. George O. Stewart, pastorZionChapelBaptistChurchinCleveland, gave the invocation and Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, pastor Lighthouse Full Life Center Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, had the crowd on their feet as he gave the benediction. Also, providing music for the occasion was Tawnya Moore-McGee.

A reception to honor Chairman Fudge concluded the festivities.