51ST INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
PRESIDENT
GEORGE H. W.
BUSH
January 20, 1989
VICE PRESIDENT
J. DANWORTH
QUAYLE
January 20, 1989
INAUGURAL COMMITTEE
Sen. Wendell H. Ford (D-KY), Chair
Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)
Rep. Thomas S. Foley (D-WA)
Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
ABOUT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
George H. W. Bush was sworn-in as the 41st President of the United States, and J. Danforth Quayle was sworn-in as the 44th Vice President of the United States.
Location:
West Front, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Weather:
Mostly cloudy, mild and breezy, with a noon temperature of 51°F.
Bible Used:
Family Bible, open to Matthew 5, and the Bible used by George Washington (belonging to St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1), opened at random.
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WATCH THE 51st INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
PRELUDE
Performed by the United States Marine Band
under the direction of Col. John R. Bourgeois
MUSICAL SELECTION
“This is My Country”
Harlan Boys Choir from Harlan, Kentucky
under the direction of Mr. David Davies
WATCH HERE
VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to J. Danforth Quayle
by the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor,
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
WATCH HERE
MUSICAL SELECTION
“An American Medley”
Staff Sergeant Alvy Powell of the U.S. Army Band
WATCH HERE
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to George H. W. Bush
by the Honorable William Rehnquist,
Chief Justice of the United States
WATCH HERE
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
“It is right that the memory of Washington be with us today, not only because this is our Bicentennial Inauguration, but because Washington remains the Father of our Country. And he would, I think, be gladdened by this day; for today is the concrete expression of a stunning fact: our continuity these 200 years since our government began.”
President George H. W. Bush
WATCH HERE
BENEDICTION
The Reverend Billy Graham
WATCH HERE
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Staff Sergeant Alvy Powell of the U.S. Army Band
WATCH HERE
HONORARY DEPARTURE
Following the Swearing-In Ceremony on the West Front, President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush escorted outgoing President Ronald W. Reagan and outgoing First Lady Nancy Reagan to the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, where they departed via Executive One. (photo credit: AP)
THE SIGNING CEREMONY
Following the Swearing-In Ceremonies, the President gathers in the President’s Room just off the Senate Chamber to sign nominations ad sometimes memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders. President Bush, surrounded by the JCCIC Members, signs the first official actions of his presidency.
THE INAUGURAL LUNCHEON
Members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosted a luncheon in honor of the newly sworn-in President and Vice President. Approximately 200 guests including the new President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership attended the event in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
LUNCHEON MENU
FIRST COURSE
Lobster Scallop Ragout
SECOND COURSE
Grilled Poussin, Four Grain Pilaf, and Asparagus
THIRD COURSE
Brandied Pear Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream
INAUGURAL PAINTING
George Washington (Patriæ Pater)
by Rembrandt Peale
OIL ON CANVAS, 1824
U.S. Senate Collection, Washington, D.C.
ABOUT THE INAUGURAL PAINTING
In commemoration of the first Inauguration held on April 30, 1789, Rembrandt Peale’s portrait of the nation’s first President, George Washington, was displayed at the Inaugural Luncheon.
Peale originally painted Washington from life in the fall of 1795, when he accompanied his father, Charles Willson Peale, to Mount Vernon. However, the younger Peale was not satisfied with the resulting portrait and set out to create one that would show Washington’s “mild, thoughtful & dignified, yet firm and energetic countenance.” In 1823, after numerous attempts, Rembrandt Peale made one final effort. Peale studied portraits of Washington by other artists and painted a powerful composition, which he hoped would become the standard image of the president. Confining himself in his studio for three months, he created what has become known as the “porthole” portrait, so named for his placement of Washington in a stonework porthole, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.
The United States Senate, by resolution on July 2, 1832, authorized the purchase of Peale’s portrait of Washington for the Senate Chamber. The portrait can be found in its original location in the Old Senate Chamber.
PRESIDENTIAL GIFTS
The President and Vice President received hand-blown crystal bowls by Lenox;
guests received a Lenox china box featuring a replica of the first Great Seal of the United States.