The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE 1997 INAUGURAL CEREMONIES” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S700-S702 on Jan. 28, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE 1997 INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, on Monday, January 20, the U.S. Congress, through the auspices of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, hosted the 53d Inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States.
In addition to the senior Senator from Virginia, who served as Chairman, the members of the committee included: Senator Wendell H. Ford, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, and House Majority Leader Richard Armey.
With over one-quarter million people gathered on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and the Mall, and millions more watching on television and listening on radio--throughout the United States and around the world--William Jefferson Clinton reaffirmed the oath of office as the 42d President, and Albert Gore, Jr. reaffirmed the oath of office as the 45th Vice President of the United States.
This ceremony--at which the President and Vice President, standing before the people's elected representatives, are sworn to execute the will of the people as expressed by Congress--is central to America's governance, making the United States, the oldest, continuous, constitutional democratic republic in the World.
The ceremony has grown by tradition and precedent since George Washington first took the constitutionally prescribed oath of office as the Nation's first President.
It commemorates the peaceful transition of power and the continuity of leadership conceived by our Founding Fathers and reflected in both article II and the 20th amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
Article II, Section 1
* * * Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors Shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the Same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, *
* *
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--``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.''
Amendment 20
Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
Mr. President, the objective of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies was to ensure that the swearing-in ceremony was conducted in a manner reflecting dignity on the Office of the President, the Congress, and the U.S. Supreme Court--the three coequal branches of our Government.
To achieve this end, Congressional staff, military personnel, Executive Branch employees, and volunteers worked for more than 6 months to plan and executive this ceremony inaugurating the President and Vice President.
Viewing the ceremonies from the Capitol grounds or on television, it is difficult, if not impossible, to appreciate all the planning and effort that goes into an inaugural swearing-in ceremony and the luncheon that follows.
Every possible detail from the precise words used to introduce the President and his escorts to the platform to the location of television cameras had to be considered, reviewed and agreed to by representatives from the Congress, the Office of the President, the media, and numerous security organizations.
Particular commendation goes to the outstanding program participants whose lasting contributions of prayers, songs and poetry made this such a memorable, historic day in the continuing life of America.
To put the many thousands who came to the Capitol in a proper spirit, the morning began with a sing-along of patriotic music led by the U.S. Marine Band. So far as we can determine, this was a first.
The sing-along was followed by musical presentations by the choir from the College of William and Mary from Williamsburg, VA, and the choir from Hampton University from Hampton, VA.
The Rev. Billy Graham and the Rev. Gardner C. Taylor offered prayers. Jessye Norman, the Children of the Gospel Mass from the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Immanuel Baptist Church Choir and Orchestra of Little Rock, Santita Jackson, and the Resurrection Choir lifted our spirits with song. The scholar Miller Williams presented an original poem written specifically for this occasion.
And for the first time, which I find astonishing, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited at the inaugural swearing-in ceremony.
Eagle Scout David Morales, a junior at James Madison High School in Vienna, VA, was selected to lead the Pledge. His performance was a tribute to the scouting movement and to the youth of our great Nation.
The Architect of the Capitol was tasked with the substantial logistical responsibilities of building the platform, arranging the seating, installing security fences, and maintaining the grounds.
The Capitol Police, the U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the National Park Service had to consider every movement of the President and Vice President, how to afford security and, at the same time, provide the viewing public and other participants maximum opportunity to view their national leaders.
Everyone involved in carrying out this enormous task can take great pride in the high degree of professionalism with which they performed their duties.
The timing of all aspects of the ceremony, beginning with the departure of the traditional congressional escort committee going to the White House, meeting the President and bringing him to the Capitol, and ending with the President's departure from the Capitol following lunch required intense cooperation and coordination between the Office of the President and the Congress. Both were given in full measure on this challenge and all others.
A very special commendation goes to Terry McAuliffe and Ann Jordan, the co-chairmen of the President's Inaugural Committee. Their directions were well and carefully carried out by Tim Keating.
The traditional congressional luncheon honoring the President and Mrs. Clinton, and the Vice President and Mrs. Gore--from the brief speeches to the beggars pudding--was judged a success. Grayson Winterling, Ginny Sandahl, and Dot Svendsen deserve special recognition for their astute and sensitive planning and execution of every luncheon detail.
Beginning 100 years ago, with the inauguration of William McKinley in 1897, Congress has hosted a luncheon for the President and Vice President. This year our luncheon theme was the inauguration of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1797.
The menu for the luncheon was based on foods Adams and Jefferson might have enjoyed in their time, and the memento provided each guest was a magnifier glass similar to ones used in that era.
As the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, and on behalf of the committee and the entire Congress, the senior Senator from Virginia extends a grateful thanks to all who helped make this historic swearing-in ceremony possible, including:
The staff of the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: Susan Aheron Magill, executive director; John Chambers, deputy director; Jack Hoggard, Bobbie Kilberg, M.L. Faunce, Robert Paxton, Amelia Fields, Janel Ellison, Eric Ruff, Ned Monroe, John Campbell, Bill Sweeney, Eric Peterson, and Jennifer Joy Wilson.
The staff of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration: Grayson Winterling, staff director; Kennie Gill, Chris Shunk, Bruce Kasold, Ginny Sandahl, and Sherry Little.
The representatives of Joint Congressional Committee Members: Eileen Mandell, Doriene Steeves--Senator Warner; Allison Berger--Senator Ford; Susan Wells, Julie Morrison, Hardy Lott--Senator Lott; Martha Morrison--Speaker Gingrich; Sharon Daniels, Karen Brooke--
Representative Gephardt; and Leah Levy, Representative Armey.
The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee: Chaired by Maj. Gen. Tom Foley, Commander, Military District of Washington, the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee was responsible for more than 10,000 military troops who provided invaluable manpower to carry out the day-long inaugural festivities.
General Foley was assisted by Tom Groppel, Military District of Washington, who has directed the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee in six previous inaugural ceremonies.
In addition, other key military personnel included Maj. Gen. Robert F. Foley, Lt. Col. Craig Benedict, Sgt. Maj. Boyd Sarratt, Maj. Don Holmes, USMC, and Maj. Dave Lapan, USMC.
U.S. Capitol Police: Chief Gary Abrecht, Deputy Chief Jim Rohan, Assistant Chief Bobby Howe, Capt. Michael Preloh, Capt. Greg Parman, Diane Marie Schmidt, Lt. Connors, John Caulfield, and Sgt. Dan Nichols.
Architect of the Capitol: William Ensign, Acting Architect of the Capitol; Alan Hantman, Architect of the Capitol Designee; Jim Ellison, Bruce Arthur, Roberto Miranda, Jim Wells, Dan Hanlon, Stuart Pregnall, Peggy Lambert, Ben Wimberly, and Matthew Evans.
Senate Sergeant at Arms: Greg Casey, Sergeant at Arms; Patty NcNally, and Loretta Symms.
House Sergeant at Arms: Bill Livingood, Sergeant at Arms; Jim Varey, and Tom Keating.
Secretary of the Senate: Gary Sisco, Secretary; and Jon Lynn Kerchner.
Senate Historian: Dick Baker, Historian; and Don Ritchie.
Senate Curator: Diane Skvarla.
Congressional Media Galleries: Larry Janezich, Senate Radio-TV Gallery; Bob Peterson, Senate Press Gallery; Maurice Johnson and Jeff Kent, Senate Press Photo Gallery; Jim Talbert, Senate Periodical Gallery; Tina Tate, House Radio-TV Gallery; Thayer Illsley, House Press Gallery; and David Holmes, House Periodical Gallery.
Senate Recording and Photographic Studio: Jim Granhe, Director; and Steve Benza, Senate Photographer.
Senate Telecommunications: Duane Ravenberg, Director.
Television Pool: Bill Headline, CNN; Margie Lehrman, NBC; and David Futrowsky.
Attending Physician: Adm. John F. Eisold, M.D.; and Robert J. Burg.
Supreme Court of the United States: Jim Duff, Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice; Venessa Yarnall, Sharon DuBose, Jackie Johnson, Julia A. Radcliff, and Dale E. Bosley.
Government Printing Office: Charlie Cook, Jerry Hammond, and John Sapp.
Department of the Interior, U.S. Park Service: Stan Lock, Deputy Director; Maj. J.J. McLaughlin, Park Police; and Jim Novak, National Park Service, White House Liaison.
U.S. Secret Service: Eljay B. Bowron, Director; Bill Pickle, Katherine Crowly, Rachel Klay, Bob Campbell, and Patrick Sullivan.
White House Liaison: Tim Keating.
Presidential Inaugural Committee: Ann Jordan and Terry McAuliffe, Co-
Chair Persons; Harold Ickes, Harry Thomason, Tom Baer, Page Reefes, Jason McIntosh, Debbie Wilhite, Andrew Ballard, and Bob Bean.
Finally, the hundreds of volunteers who handled the tough, sensitive problem of distributing many invitations, who served as ushers and escorts, and especially the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who greeted each guest as they arrived on the Capitol Grounds and distributed copies of the ceremony's program.
All joined in putting forward the very best of themselves, the Congress, the Nation's Capital, and our country. For this the Congress expresses its heartfelt thanks for a job well done.
I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce two bills. The first bill is the National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1997.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont is recognized.
Mr. JEFFORDS. I thank the Chair.
(The remarks of Mr. Jeffords pertaining to the introduction of S. 215 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. JEFFORDS. The second bill I will be introducing today with Senator Frist. This bill is IDEA. Then, after that, I will briefly talk on low-income fuel assistance and put in the Record a letter which myself and 49 Senators have participated in.
For now, I will go ahead and discuss and send to the desk the bill IDEA, for introduction.
(The remarks of Mr. Jeffords and Mr. Frist pertaining to the introduction of S. 216 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
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