54TH INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

PRESIDENT
GEORGE W.
BUSH

January 20, 2001

VICE PRESIDENT
DICK
CHENEY

January 20, 2001

INAUGURAL COMMITTEE

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chair

Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS)

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT)

Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)

Rep. Richard K. Armey (R-TX)

Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-MO)

ABOUT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES

George W. Bush was sworn-in as the 43rd President of the United States, and Dick Cheney was sworn-in as the 46th Vice President of the United States.

Location:

West Front, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.

Weather:

Cold and rainy, with temperature around 35°F.

Bible Used:

Family Bible, closed.

FACTS, FIRSTS, & PRECEDENTS

George W. Bush had hoped to use the Masonic Bible that had been used both by George Washington in 1789, and by his father, George H. W. Bush, in 1989. This historic Bible had been transported, under guard, from New York to Washington D.C. for the Inauguration but, due to inclement weather, a family Bible was substituted instead.

WATCH THE 54th INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

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MUSICAL SELECTION

University of Louisville Choir

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PRELUDE

The United States Marine Band
directed by Colonel Timothy W. Foley

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CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOMING REMARKS

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
WATCH HERE

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INVOCATION

The Reverend Franklin Graham
WATCH HERE

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MUSICAL SELECTION

Dupont Manual High School/Youth Performing Arts School Choir
of Louisville, Kentucky
WATCH HERE

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VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE

Administered to Dick Cheney
by the Honorable William Rehnquist,
Chief Justice of the United States
WATCH HERE

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MUSICAL SELECTION

“An American Medley”
Staff Sergeant Alec T. Maly
WATCH HERE

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PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE

Administered to George W. Bush
by the Honorable William Rehnquist
Chief Justice of the United States
WATCH HERE

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INAUGURAL ADDRESS

“Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along; and even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.”

President George W. Bush
WATCH HERE

Read full address in the Congressional Record

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BENEDICTION

Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
WATCH HERE

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National Anthem

Staff Sergeant Alec T. Maly
WATCH HERE

HONORARY DEPARTURE

Following the Swearing-In Ceremony on the West Front, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush saw outgoing President Bill Clinton and outgoing First Lady Hillary Clinton off from the East Front of the U.S. Capitol. The Clintons traveled to Joint Andrews by motorcade, rather than helicopter, due to the weather.

WATCH HERE

THE SIGNING CEREMONY

Following the Swearing-In Ceremonies, the President gathers in the President’s Room just off of the Senate Chamber to sign nominations and sometimes memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders. President Bush, surrounded by the JCCIC Members and the Vice President, signs the first official actions of his second term.

WATCH HERE

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 Pie

SECOND COURSE
Grenadin of Beef Supreme, Chartreuse of Vegetables, Puree of Small Roots, Sour Cream Drop Biscuits

THIRD COURSE
Toffee Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Demitasse Café and Tea

ENTERTAINMENT

United States Army Band Brass Quintet

INAUGURAL PAINTING

West Front, Steps of the Capitol
by Colin Campbell Cooper

Oil on canvas, N.D.
Private Collection

ABOUT THE INAUGURAL PAINTING

In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the first Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., the painting West Front, Steps of the Capitol by American artist Colin Campbell Cooper was exhibited at the Inaugural Luncheon.

Cooper is best known for his modern urban impressionist landscapes.  This image depicts the West Front Terrace, designed in 1874 by Frederick Law Olmstead, and the site of the 2001 Presidential Inauguration.  The painting was borrowed from a private collector.

LUNCHEON TIMELINE

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Presentation and Toast

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
presented the President and Vice President each with a custom etched crystal bowl provided by Lenox China.
WATCH HERE

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Presentation OF FLAGS

Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert
presented the President and Vice President with flags that were flown over the Capitol Building during the Inaugural Ceremonies.
WATCH HERE

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Presentation OF PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert
WATCH HERE

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PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS

President George W. Bush
WATCH HERE

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PRESENTATION

The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd
presented the Vice President with the official swearing-in photo, as well as the gift for luncheon guests: a polished pewter box with an image of the U.S. Capitol as the building appeared on March 4, 1801.
WATCH HERE

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BENEDICTION

Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
WATCH HERE

PASS IN REVIEW

President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Second Lady Lynne Cheney, along with Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, U.S. Army, commander of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), stand on the steps of the East Front to participate in the Pass in Review prior to departing the Capitol for the Inaugural Parade to the White House.

WATCH HERE