Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) was sworn in Wednesday afternoon as the U.S. representative for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, a district that includes Escambia County.

The seat was vacated by former U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner on Aug. 2, 2013, following his resignation to take a job with the University of Alabama System. In a special election held Dec. 17, 2013, to fill the seat, Byrne defeated his opponents with 71 percent of the vote.

In a speech before the full U.S. House of Representatives, Byrne said he would work hard for his constituents.

“To the people of the 1st District of Alabama, I promise that I will work hard every day to serve you and build upon the trust you have placed in me to represent you in our nation’s capital,” he said. “To the members of this House, I am ready to roll up my shirt sleeves and work with you as a problem solver, not a problem maker — as a work horse, not a show horse.

“I come to this House ready to work together with each of you to find solutions that will make this country truly great again.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) welcomed Byrne to Washington, D.C.

“As the House looks forward to a year addressing important issues like reducing the deficit and debt, protecting the American people from the effects of the president’s health care law, and helping create more private sector jobs, I look forward to Congressman Byrne adding his expertise in business and public service to our discussion,” Boehner said.

Byrne previously served as a member of the Alabama State Board of Education and as a member of the Alabama State Senate, representing District 32. In 2007, Byrne was appointed by the Alabama State Board of Education as chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

Byrne has an undergraduate degree from Duke University and a law degree from the University of Alabama. He has practiced law in Mobile for more than 30 years.

To reach Byrne’s Mobile office, call (251) 690-2811, or visit in person at 11 N. Water St., Suite 15290. The Washington office’s phone number is (202) 225-4931 and the address is 2236 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC, 20515.