Senate Concurrent Resolution 89 - Establishment and Support of Joint Committee: Creates the authority for the joint House and Senate committee assigned to plan and budget for the inaugural ceremonies.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 90 - Use of Capitol Rotunda: Just in case the weather is bad, and the ceremony must be moved inside, a resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Rotunda is required. When bad weather forced the 1985 inauguration inside, a last-minute resolution had to be passed. Ever since this resolution has been passed well in advance of January 20.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 148 - Providing for disposition and archiving of inaugural records, files and documents: This one is brand new for 2001. Introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), this resolution establishes a formal procedure for collection and storage of all documents related to the planning and budgeting of the presidential inaugural with the National Archives and Records Administration.
Since the first inauguration of President Reagan in 1981, the swearing-in ceremonies have been held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. The only exception was the 1985 swearing-in of President Reagan's second term, when cold weather forced the ceremony into the Capitol Rotunda.
This year's inaugural platform is constructed almost completely from recycled materials used in President Clinton's 1997 ceremony.
The first inauguration actually held in Washington, D.C. was the March 4, 1801 swearing-in of Thomas Jefferson. Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to be sworn in on the specific date of January 20 in 1937, a change brought about by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
President Harry S. Truman starred in the first televised inauguration ceremony in 1949, while the 1997 inauguration of President Clinton was the first to be broadcast live over the Internet.
Cost of the Inauguration
A total of $1 million was set aside by Congress to pay for this inauguration. The funds were allocated as part of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill of the Fiscal Year 2001 federal budget. The $1 million pays only for costs associated with the swearing-in ceremony. The parade and all of the galas and balls are coordinated and paid for by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. These events are funded mainly through ticket sales, contributions, and volunteered services and talent.
