WASHINGTON – A group of New York congressmen and women from both major parties will sit together during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address by President Barack Obama to demonstrate bipartisanship.

Members of the delegation will include the North Country’s 23rd District Rep. Bill Owens, a Democrat from Plattsburgh, who will take part with Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY 27), Paul Tonko (D-NY 21), Tom Reed (R-NY 29), Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY 25), Chris Gibson (R-NY 20), Richard Hanna (R-NY 24), and Kathy Hochul (D-NY 26).

“While this is a small step toward bipartisanship, I believe Congress has a historic opportunity to come together and work for what is best for New York and the rest of the nation,” Owens said.

Owens is a member of the Congressional Center Aisle Caucus, a bipartisan group of congressional representatives who have a strong enough interest in promoting civility and changing the tone in Washington that they are prepared to demonstrate it, even in small ways.

A similar bipartisan group sat together for last year’s State of the Union speech.