| Inaugurating a President | |
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After over two years of campaigning, primaries, counting and recounting votes, flying chad, and oh-so many lawyers, the closest presidential election in America's history all ends with two simple words spoken in response to a simple, yet elegant oath.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." -- Article II, Section 1, clause 8 - U.S. Constitution
At Noon on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, Chief Justice William Rehnquist will swear George W. Bush in as the 43rd president of the United States during the main event of the 54th Presidential Inauguration. The discrepancy between presidents and inaugurals is due to the number of presidents who served multiple terms, thus getting the last dance at more than one inaugural ball.
Few
events in Washington come off without bureaucracy, not even a presidential
inauguration. Before the second generation of Team Bush can say "I do,"
at least two, and this year, three acts of Congress are required. This year, those acts were: 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 complete list of Inaugural events and
attendance information is available on this
Presidential Inaugural Committee Web site.
• See
About Bonus Inauguration Coverage Next page >
Senate Concurrent Resolution 89 > Page 1,
2, 3, 4
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.
Coverage from all sides by several of your About Guides.
