by Ken Feltman of Radnor Inc.

Former Illinois State Senator Mark Rhoads and I worked on a victorious congressional campaign together many years ago. Later Mark ran for and won a seat in the Illinois Senate where he quickly became a leader who was known for working with everyone to get things done.

Here are his thoughts on the difference between election night celebrations and the quieter dedication of being sworn into office:

"In the fog and noise of political battles, sometimes Americans forget just how great democracy really is. The minute when a winning candidate is announced on election night is noisy, wild, and jubilant for the supporters or gloomy for the losers. But when the winner is actually sworn into office, it is a more quiet, solemn, prayerful, introspective, historic, proud, and awesome moment even in a very short, simple, and low-key ceremony. In fact, often in the rituals of American history the less hoopla there is, the more important the moment seems to be."