Family, friends and the public got a chance to see Sabina Matos repeat her oath of office at the State House on Sunday.
The second woman and first person of color to become Rhode Island’s Lieutenant Governor took her actual oath of office April 14 in a private ceremony in the Governor’s State Room with just her immediate family in attendance due to coronavirus concerns.
In brief remarks, Matos said she shares Governor Dan McKee’s goal of getting coronavirus shots into the arms of as many Rhode Islanders as possible.
“I pledge to make working here, living here, getting educated here, and opening a business here easier and accessible,” Matos said. She also referred to her immigrant roots.
“If you would have told me when I was a young girl riding the New York subway in 1994 that, nearly 30 years later, I would be standing with the Rhode Island State House to my back, being sworn-in as the state’s lieutenant governor, I would have said you were crazy. But this is America, and anything is possible.”
Gov. McKee, who appointed Matos to succeed him as Lt. Governor when he ascended to the Governor’s office following Gov. Gina Raimondo’s resignation to become U.S. Commerce Secretary in the administration of President Joe Biden, said he and Matos plan to visit all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns during Matos’ first 100 days in office.
