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Congressman McNerney Meets Constituents At 'Congress At Your Corner' Event

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) --  For the first time since the attempted assassination of Gabrielle Giffords, Congressman Jerry McNerney is on the streets to meet his constituents.  But, security was stepped up at the meet and greet event.

It's a rare opportunity to meet your elected representative – Congress at Your Corner.  It was an event just like this on January 8 where Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford was shot in the head.

Outside the Cesar Chavez Library as people sign in, police certainly made their presence known. But inside, McNerney honored his fellow members of Congress.

The audience for this event was highly controlled, and was kept under 50 in what amounts to two sessions with the Congressman.

This format has been used by Congressman McNerney for six months now, unlike the event where Giffords had constituents line up to meet her.  But, the Congressman's top concern Thursday was to make his guests feel safe, while keeping his own safety in mind.

"It's not the original Congress at Your Corner where we had people lining up around the corner; it's a better event for everybody," said McNerney.

For McNerney meeting the people he serves, a practice he started when first elected in 2006, he says will continue as long as he's in office.

McNerney is planning his 64th Congress at Your Corner in Pleasanton within the next few weeks, and he is also taking well wishes to Congresswoman Gifford's family from people in his district.

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