2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Congressional Inaugural Committee Issues Inaugural Advisory

Congressional Inaugural Committee Issues Inaugural Advisory

WASHINGTON, DC - In the remaining weeks before the 56th presidential inaugural, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) will be issuing a series of advisories to help people who plan to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The following is a special alert for those people who will have tickets to the swearing-in, but may have questions about getting to and from the event that morning. Because of the large crowds and the potential for inclement weather, those people with special needs are advised to pay careful attention to these details.

TIMING

While the actual swearing-in will take place shortly before noon, the formal program begins at 11:30 AM and the musical prelude and seating will begin much earlier. Security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 AM, and the committee advises arriving no later than 9:00 AM to ensure that you are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins. Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 AM and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds.

GETTING TO THE SWEARING-IN

Getting to the swearing-in ceremonies that morning will be very difficult because of the large crowds. In addition to the 240,000 ticketed guests, a million or more people are expected to view the inauguration from the National Mall between 4th Street and the Lincoln Memorial, along with hundreds of thousands of others who plan on watching the Inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.

We recommend planning ahead, but also caution that any plans made in advance should be double-checked in the days and hours prior to the event in case of changes to transportation schedules, street and other closures, and other factors that may impact your travel plans. We also recommend developing back-up plans in case your original travel plans need to be changed at the last minute.

The District of Columbia's inaugural website will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. We recommend that guests bookmark the site, http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp, and check it frequently for changing information.

A security perimeter will be established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route on or before January 20, 2009. Subway stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter will be closed. Street closures throughout Washington, D.C., will make traveling by car or taxi very difficult. Bridges from Virginia crossing the Potomac River into Washington, D.C., as well as major roadways from Maryland into Washington, D.C., may be closed to all but bus traffic.

Following are recommendations on how to get to the swearing-in ceremony:

Within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol

For those people who will be staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walking to the swearing-in ceremony will be the most reliable method of reaching the ticketed seated and standing areas. Be sure to carefully plan your return trip as well - it won't be possible to cross the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route, except at designated points and Metro will be extremely crowded.

For some people bicycling may be an option to get close to the U.S. Capitol. While bicycles will be prohibited within the security perimeter on January 20, 2009, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is working on a plan with city officials to have bike valet stations available outside the security perimeter near the swearing-in ceremonies and parade route. More information is available at: http://www.waba.org/index.php.

Beyond 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol

Use public transportation to get you as close as possible to the U.S. Capitol and walk from there.

D.C.'s subway system will be running "rush-hour" service all day, but is expecting "crush-level" crowds. Be prepared to wait for space on a train for long periods of time, during which you will have to stand in close proximity to several thousand people. Many Metro escalators will be closed due to crowding and individuals will need to climb Metro stairs or wait to utilize the small number of elevators at Metro stations.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to run Metrobuses on Inauguration Day. Check its website, www.wmata.com, for information regarding routes and schedules. As with any other travel planning for January 20, please allow extra time and prepare a back-up plan.

AMTRAK www.amtrak.com, and regional commuter trains, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) www.vre.org and MARC (Maryland) Commuter Train www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/ will be operating reserved trains on special schedules and are expected to sell out well in advance of January 20. Please visit their websites for more information.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

There will be no vehicular access or parking in the areas around the Capitol on January 20, 2009. This includes vehicles with special disability license plates or tags. While there will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated as drop-off points for persons with disabilities, traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult.

As noted above, public transportation is expected to be running at "crush capacity" and WMATA has informed us that while Metro Access will operate for its regular customers, they do not expect to be able to provide pick-ups for people after events.

There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol grounds, however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis. Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather).

Other Important Considerations

The weather in Washington in January is usually quite cold and often rainy or snowy. Please think carefully about whether you can stand outside in cold weather in a large crowd for up to six hours, and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterwards.

Regardless of the weather conditions, umbrellas will not be permitted in the ticketed areas. Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), Explosives of any kind (including fireworks), Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length), Mace and/or pepper spray, Sticks or poles, Pockets or hand tools, such as "Leatherman", Packages, Backpacks, Large bags, Duffel bags, Suitcases, Thermoses, Coolers, Strollers, Laser pointers, Signs, Posters, Animals (other than service animals), Alcoholic beverages, Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners

Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events.

Be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures from your cell phone, according to wireless companies. Please use text messaging to send critical messages.

Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces Honorary Co-Chairs

Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces Honorary Co-Chairs
Bipartisan Collection of Distinguished Americans to Help Lead Inaugural Activities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced the honorary co-chairs for the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

In keeping with the President-elect's commitment to an inclusive and bipartisan Inauguration, the list of honorary co-chairs includes members of the President-elect and Vice President-elect's immediate families as well as prominent Americans from both sides of the aisle who have dedicated their lives to selfless service to their fellow citizens.

"Vice President-elect Biden and I are grateful to these distinguished men and women for agreeing to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Inauguration," said President-elect Obama.  "From family members to former Presidents, each of these leaders has an unwavering commitment to bipartisan cooperation and a proud record of service to their community and our country.  They exemplify the spirit of unity and shared purpose this Inauguration will reflect."

The Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration are:

President Jimmy Carter

President George H. W. Bush

President William J. Clinton

Mayor Adrian Fenty

Senator Dick Durbin

Senator Dick Lugar

Senator Claire McCaskill

Representative Tammy Baldwin

Representative Artur Davis

Representative Ray Lahood

Representative Linda Sánchez

General Colin Powell

Hunter and Kathleen Biden

Craig Robinson

Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng

The Joint Congressional Committee On Inaugural Ceremonies Announces Inaugural Program

The Joint Congressional Committee On Inaugural Ceremonies Announces Inaugural Program
Line-up Includes Musical Greats Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman

WASHINGTON, DC - The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, today announced the program for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, which will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2009.

The program participants were based on requests from the President-elect and the Vice President-elect.

The order of the program will be as follows:

Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band

Musical Selections
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin

Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
The Honorable John Paul Stevens

Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger
Itzhak Perlman, Violin
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Gabriela Montero, Piano
Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama
By the Chief Justice of the United States
The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

Inaugural Address
The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

Poem
Elizabeth Alexander

Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

Biographies

Elizabeth Alexander is a poet, essayist, playwright, and teacher. She is the author of four books and was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. She has received many grants and honors, most recently the Alphonse Fletcher, Sr. Fellowship for work that "contributes to improving race relations in American society and furthers the broad social goals of the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954," and the 2007 Jackson Prize for Poetry. She is a professor at Yale University and was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University this year.

Aretha Franklin is often described as "The Queen of Soul." In a career spanning more than 50 years, she has earned a reputation as one of the greatest singers of our time, with a repertoire that includes soul, jazz, rock, blues, pop, and gospel. Franklin has won 21 Grammy Awards, including the Living Legend Grammy and the Lifetime Achievement Grammy. In 1987 she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other awards include the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, considered the dean of the civil rights movement, co-founded along with Martin Luther King, Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and served as president and chief executive officer from 1977 to January 15, 1998. He served as pastor of Atlanta's oldest predominantly Black United Methodist congregation, Central Methodist Gardens for 18 years, and as pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church from 1986 to 1992.

Anthony McGill is the principal clarinetist of the New York Metropolitan Orchestra, a member of the Peabody Conservatory faculty in clarinet, and a much sought after soloist and chamber musician. A graduate of the Curtis Institute, he is a recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, a program designed to provide support for up-and-coming instrumentalists. He has performed at many music festivals, and appeared as a soloist with the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, New Jersey, and Hilton Head, and performed at Lincoln Center as a member of Chamber Music Society Two. McGill has also toured Europe and Japan with a chamber ensemble including Mitsuko Uchida and members of the Brentano String Quartet.

Yo-Yo Ma is a world renowned cellist, educator, and ambassador for the arts. His recordings are among the most successful recordings in the classical field, and reflect his wide-ranging interest in many musical genres and traditions. He began studying the cello at age four. He studied at the Juilliard School, and is a graduate of Harvard University. His awards include the Avery Fisher Prize, the Glenn Gould Prize, and the National Medal of the Arts. Appointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the United States Department of State in 2002, Yo-Yo Ma has met with, trained, and mentored thousands of students worldwide. In 2006, Secretary General Kofi Annan named him a U.N. Messenger of Peace, and in 2007 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extended his appointment.

Gabriela Montero is a pianist known both for her impeccable classical playing and her improvisational gift. Montero gave her first public performance at the age of five. At age eight she made her concert debut with the Venezuelan Youth Orchestra, and was granted a scholarship to study in the United States. At twelve she won the Baldwin National Competition and AMSA Young Artist International Piano Competition. She won the Bronze Medal at the 13th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1995, and since then has played at recital halls and festivals around the world. Her recordings include both performances of well known classical compositions, as well as improvisations on themes by Bach and other classical composers.

Itzhak Perlman is one of the greatest violinists of our time. Following his training at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv and the Julliard School, Perlman won the prestigious Leventritt Competition in 1964. Since then, Perlman has performed with every major orchestra throughout the world. He has also conducted orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic. He has won 15 Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, and numerous other awards including the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, and the Medal of Liberty, presented by President Reagan in 1986 to honor the nation's most distinguished naturalized citizens during the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty. Perlman is also an educator, teaching at the Perlman Music Program and the Juilliard School, where he holds the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair.

Dr. Rick Warren founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, in 1980 with one family. Today, it is an evangelical congregation averaging 22,000 weekly attendees, a 120-acre campus, and has more than 300 community ministries to groups such as prisoners, CEOs, addicts, single parents, and those with HIV/AIDS. He also leads the Purpose Driven Network of churches, a global coalition of congregations in 162 countries. TIME magazine named him one of "15 World Leaders Who Mattered Most in 2004," and in 2005 one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

John Williams is one of the most successful and best-known composers of our time. He studied at UCLA, Los Angeles City College, and the Juilliard School. Williams has composed the music and served as a music director for more than one hundred films, has received forty-five Academy Award nominations, and won five.�� He also has been awarded seven British Academy Awards (BAFTA), twenty Grammys, four Golden Globes, four Emmys, numerous gold and platinum records, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Williams has written many concert pieces, and special compositions for events including the Special Olympics, and the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. From1980-1993, Williams conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra, and assumed the title of Boston Pops Laureate Conductor after retiring in December 1993. Williams also holds the title of Artist-in-Residence at Tanglewood.

The San Francisco Boys Chorus (SFBC) was founded in 1948 and has become an internationally acclaimed Grammy-award winning organization. The chorus has over 240 singers from 50 Bay Area cities and more than 120 schools at three Bay Area campuses.�� SFBC has toured in four continents where they performed for dignitaries such as: Pope John Paul II, HRH Queen Elizabeth II of England, King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, HM Prince of Wales, the President of the former Soviet Union, and U.S presidents. SFBC celebrated their 60 year anniversary this year.

The San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC) is comprised of more than 300 singers, ages 7-18, from 160 schools in 44 Bay Area cities. SFGC was founded in 1978 and has become a regional center for choral music education and performance. The Chorus can also be heard on several San Francisco Symphony recordings, including three Grammy Award-winners. In 2001, SFGC became the first youth chorus to win the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award given annually by Chorus America to a chorus that demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong organizational structure, and a commitment to education.

The United States Marine Band, founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, is America's oldest professional musical organization. Also called "The President's Own," the Marine Band is celebrated for its role at the White House and its dynamic public performances. The Marine Band performs a varied repertoire including new works for wind ensemble, traditional concert band literature, challenging orchestral transcriptions, and the patriotic marches that made it famous. The band frequently features its members in solo performances that highlight their virtuosity and artistry.

The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters" is the official chorus of the United States Navy. In 1956, Lt. Harold Fultz, then the Band's assistant leader, organized an all male group of singers from the Navy School of Music in Anacostia for the State of the Nation dinner. The group was an instant success, so Admiral Arleigh Burke, Chief of Naval Operations, transferred them to the Navy Band, named them the "Sea Chanters," and gave them the mission of carrying on the songs of the sea. Women joined the "Sea Chanters" in 1980. The chorus appears throughout the United States and has also sung with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

National Mall Will Be Open To The Public On Inauguration Day

National Mall Will Be Open to the Public on Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON, DC -- In keeping with its pledge to make the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama one of the most open and accessible in history, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced today that, for the first time, the entire length of the National Mall will be opened to the public so that more people than ever before will be able to witness the swearing-in of the President from a vantage point in sight of the Capitol.

The PIC has worked closely with officials from the District of Columbia government, the National Park Service, the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) to make space at this historic location available to members of the public who are unable to obtain tickets to the swearing-in. Those who come to witness the swearing-in on the Mall will be able to watch and listen to the ceremony on large screens that will be provided by the PIC along the Mall.

"We're grateful to local, federal, and military officials for their efforts to open up the National Mall to Americans who want to participate in this historic occasion," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "These arrangements represent our committee's continuing commitment to make next year's historic inauguration as accessible as possible to citizens in Washington, D.C., and across the country."

"This will be an Inauguration for all Americans," said Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. "And so we are dedicated to opening it up so that people from across the country can gather together in America's front yard. We remain hard at work to ensure the day's festivities are safe and accessible for visitors, residents, and businesses alike."

In the past, the National Mall has been used as a staging area for participants in the inaugural parade. But in response to early indications that more Americans than usual may travel to Washington to join in celebration of our shared values and common purpose, officials have worked tirelessly in recent weeks to relocate the parade staging area. Inaugural parade participants will be announced next week.

In the coming days and weeks, the PIC will release further information about viewing the inauguration from the National Mall and other inaugural events.

The Official Inauguration Commemorative Souvenir Brought To You By The United States Postal Service

The Official Inauguration Commemorative Souvenir Brought to You By the United States Postal Service

WASHINGTON — Celebrate the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as America’s 44th president with the official inauguration commemorative souvenir from the United States Postal Service.

This beautiful philatelic folio includes:

• A collectible stamped envelope with silk portraits of the newly elected President Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joseph Biden.
• An official commemorative Inaugural Digital Color Postmark.
• Photographs and biographical information.
• A brief commentary on inaugural tradition and history.
• And the presidential oath of office.

All this for only $14.95.

Pre-orders are now being accepted for this exclusive presidential inaugural commemorative souvenir at www.usps.com/shop and will be shipped starting Jan. 20, 2009. Official sales of this exclusive product begin on Jan. 20, 2009 at select Post Offices, usps.com, and by calling 800-STAMP24.

Presidential Inaugural Committee Unveils Unprecedented Limits on Fundraising; Broadens Public Access

Presidential Inaugural Committee Unveils Unprecedented Limits on Fundraising; Broadens Public Access

Bipartisan Team Tapped to Organize Historic Inaugural Celebration
WASHINGTON -  President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s Inaugural Committee outlined plans today for an inauguration that will underscore their commitment to change business as usual in Washington and ensure that as many Americans as possible, both inside and outside Washington, will be able to come together to unite the country and celebrate our common values and shared aspirations.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced today that it will abide by an unprecedented set of limitations on fundraising as part of President-elect Obama’s pledge to put the country on a new path.  Unlike previous inaugural committees, the PIC will not accept contributions from corporations, political action committees, current federally-registered lobbyists, non-U.S. citizens and registered foreign agents.  The PIC will not accept individual contributions in excess of $50,000.  Current law does not restrict the size of donations.  In past inaugurations, contribution limits have run as high as $250,000.

In accordance with the Committee’s commitment to provide the most open and accessible inauguration in history, the PIC is working with relevant authorities to open up as much of the National Mall as possible to accommodate more Americans than ever before.

The Committee is headed by a bipartisan group of co-chairs: William Daley, Penny Pritzker, John Rogers, Patrick Ryan and Julianna Smoot, who said today they intend to deliver on President-elect Obama’s commitment to organize an inauguration that will rally all Americans to meet the great challenges of our time:

“It is a distinct honor to chair the committee that will organize the celebration of next year’s historic inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  We are committed to ensuring that these activities are organized in a way that reflects the American people’s common values, shared aspirations and commitment to addressing our challenges as one, united nation,“ they said in a joint statement.

Listed below are some details about the co-chairs.  Regularly updated information will be provided to the public and the media on our website, www.pic2009.org.

PIC Co-Chairs

William Daley is head of JPMorgan Chase’s Office of Corporate Social Responsibility as well as the firm’s Vice Chairman, Chairman of the Midwest and Chairman of the JP Morgan Chase foundation. He is the Chair of the Economic Club of Chicago and is on the boards of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.  He served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2000.  He also serves as member of the advisory board to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition committee.

Penny Pritzker, a business executive and entrepreneur for more than twenty years, is chairman of the board of four companies:  TransUnion, Classic Residence by Hyatt, The Parking Spot and Pritzker Realty.  Ms. Pritzker also served as Finance Chair of the President-elect’s campaign committee.  As a civic leader, she’s focused on improving the health and education of young people through enterprising initiatives, such as Chicago Run and the Chicago Public Education Fund.

John W. Rogers, Jr. is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Ariel Investments and serves on the boards of three public companies: Aon Corporation, Exelon Corporation and McDonald’s Corporation. He also is a director of the Chicago Urban League, a trustee of the University of Chicago as well as a member of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Patrick Ryan, a Republican, is Chairman and Chief Executive of Chicago 2016 and oversees all aspects of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics.  He is the Founding Chairman of Aon Corporation.  Ryan is Chairman of the board of trustees of Northwestern University and serves as a life trustee of Rush University Medical Center. He is also an owner/director of the Chicago Bears Football Club.

Julianna Smoot served as President-elect Obama’s national finance director during his presidential campaign. She previously worked for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senator Thomas Daschle, and Senator John Edwards.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) Announces 2009 Inaugural Theme "A New Birth of Freedom"

Senator Feinstein Announces 2009 Inaugural Theme "A New Birth of Freedom"

SAN FRANCISCO - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), today announced the theme for the 2009 presidential inaugural.

"A New Birth of Freedom," commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The words come from the Gettysburg address, and express Lincoln's hope that the sacrifice of those who died to preserve the nation shall lead to "a new birth of freedom" for our nation.

The inaugural theme, which was selected by Senator Feinstein and the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, will be woven through the inaugural ceremonies. The theme is traditionally linked to a major anniversary, and in her announcement Feinstein spoke of the appropriateness of the chosen theme to our present day circumstances, particularly in light of the historic election of Senator Barack Obama.

In addition to Senator Feinstein, the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies include: Senator Bob Bennett, Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; and House Republican Leader John Boehner.

"At a time when our country faces major challenges at home and abroad, it is appropriate to revisit the words of President Lincoln, who strived to bring the nation together by appealing to 'the better angels of our nature'," Feinstein said. "It is especially fitting to celebrate the words of Lincoln as we prepare to inaugurate the first African-American president of the United States."

"On January 20, as President-elect Obama takes the oath of office, he will look across the National Mall toward the Lincoln Memorial, where many of the sixteenth president's immortal words are inscribed. Although some inaugural traditions have changed since Lincoln's time, the swearing-in ceremony continues to symbolize the ideals of renewal, continuity, and unity that he so often expressed."

The Joint Congressional Committee On Inaugural Ceremonies Announces Launch of Inaugural Website

Senator Feinstein Announces Launch of Inaugural Website

Washington, DC - The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has launched a website to provide up-to-date information about the January 20, 2009 Presidential Inauguration and related ceremonies along with historical information and photos of inaugurals past, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the committee chairman, announced today.

The website can be found at: https://inaugural.senate.gov

"The inauguration of a new president is one of the most solemn and ceremonial occasions in our nation's history. People from all over the country come to Washington to mark the peaceful transition from one Administration to another," said Senator Feinstein. "This website is meant to provide people with useful information about the swearing-in ceremony, parade and other inaugural events."

The website also includes information about obtaining tickets to the historic event, precedents set at past inaugural ceremonies and a countdown clock to alert visitors how many days are left until Inauguration Day.

The website is fully accessible to the public. The website also includes:

Historical facts and figures

A comprehensive history section to learn everything from what presidents wore to what the weather was like from past inaugurations, including:
Which president's inaugural ceremony was the first to be reported by telegraph;
Which president delivered the longest inaugural address;
Which president was the first to ride to and from his inauguration in an automobile;
Chronology of past inaugurals and when and precisely where they took place;
Images

Links to images from the Senate's image collection and video of past swearing-in and luncheon ceremonies;
Event details

Application information for marching bands and other performers wishing to take part in the Inauguration Day festivities;
Schedule of Inauguration Day events;
Up-to-date information about obtaining inaugural tickets;
Media credentialing information;
Committee Facts

Profiles of the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and information about the committee's history and its prior members.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is responsible for the oversight and planning of the Presidential Inauguration and related ceremonies on the U.S. Capitol grounds.