SUN PHOTO BY DREW WINCHESTER
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, a Republican who represents Florida’s 17th District, which encompasses Charlotte and DeSoto counties, takes the oath of office on Tuesday from Appellate Judge Darryl Casanueva at the Historic Charlotte County Courthouse in Punta Gorda. This is Rooney’s third consecutive term, and he was welcomed by Punta Gorda Mayor Bill Albers, who declared Jan. 8 as Congressman Tom Rooney Day.