"Celebrating America's Spirit Together"
On Saturday, January 20, 2001 at 12:02 p.m. at the West Front of the Capitol, George W. Bush placed his hand on the Bible, swore the oath of office and officially became the 43rd president of the United States.
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In addition to the swearing in of the new president and the delivery of his inaugural address, a host of activities are organized to celebrate the arrival of a new administration. The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) plans many of these events and is aided by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), a joint task force of the five Armed Forces branches. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) is responsible for all events held at the Capitol. |
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| Jeanne Johnson Phillips, a businesswoman from Dallas, Texas, served as executive director of the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Committee. She helped organized both of Governor Bush's inaugurations, and most recently served as a senior adviser on finance for the Bush campaign and as deputy chair of operations for Victory 2000 at the Republican National Committee. Also shown above are the four co-chairs, Mercer and Gabrielle Reynolds of Cincinnati, Ohio and Bill and Kathy DeWitt, also of Cincinnati. |
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Organization of the PIC was delayed due to the battle over Florida. However, AFIC continued with its planning and preparation during this time, providing a solid foundation for PIC when it finally formed in the second half of December. Under the theme "Celebrating America's Spirit Together," PIC organized activities ranging from a star-studded opening celebration at Lincoln Memorial to a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. Given the compressed timeframe for planning, the festivities were somewhat trimmed down; for example there was no open festival on the Mall. Nonetheless all the major elements were present including the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and the inaugural balls. |
| On January 2, 2001 the PIC announced the inaugural theme: "Celebrating America's Spirit Together" as well as the schedule of events. |
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Celebrating America's Spirit Together |
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Lincoln Memorial 3:30 pm - Ceremony begins. Open to the public. |
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Washington Hilton Hotel National Building Museum Union Station 8:00 p.m. - Dinners begin. Not a public event. Cost: $2,500 per ticket |
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Constitution Hall 10:00 am - Event begins. Ticket required, limited seating. |
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George Washington University Smith Center 2:00 pm - Event begins. Ticket required, limited seating. |
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MCI Center 4:00 pm - Event begins. Tickets required, limited seating. Cost: $5 |
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Chamber of Commerce Building Ticketed through Wyoming State Society. |
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Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Ticketed through Texas State Society. |
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9:30 a.m. - Prayer service begins. Private prayer service for the families and close friends of President-elect Bush and Vice President-elect Cheney. |
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10:25 a.m. President-elect Bush and Mrs. Bush, the Vice President-elect and Mrs. Cheney have coffee with President and Senator Clinton and Vice President and Mrs. Gore. |
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United States Capitol 11:30 a.m. - Ceremony begins. |
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Statuary Hall, U.S. Capitol 1:00 p.m. |
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Pennsylvania Avenue 2:00 pm - Parade begins. No ticket required for public standing areas. Ticket required for bleacher seating - $100, $50, $15. |
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(Eight Locations) 7:00 pm - Events begin. Cost: $125 per ticket |
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8:30 a.m. - Prayer service begins. |
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3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
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In addition to the above events, President-elect Bush and Mrs. Bush attended
an Inaugural Underwriter Reception at the Library of Congress from about
6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m on Friday, January 19, 2001.
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2001 Presidential Inaugural
Committee
Armed Forces Inaugural Committee
Joint Congressional Committee
on Inaugural Ceremonies
S.
CON. RES. 89--Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
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| Jan. 15, 2001--As finishing touches are applied, a network television crew looks over the site in preparation for Saturday. | |
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| Jan. 2001--Blue carpet treatment. | |
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| Jan. 10, 2001--Only ten days to go. | |
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| Dec. 2000--Construction continues. | |
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| Nov. 28, 2000--Workmen begin preparing the viewing stands for the Inaugural Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. |
"j20-dc" Protests
The controversy over the
outcome in Florida served as a catalyst for a number of protests. Some
of the same activists who demonstrated at the World Trade Organization
meetings in Seattle, and continued to speak out at the World Bank/IMF meetings
in Washington, DC, the national nominating conventions in Philadelphia
and Los Angeles, and the presidential debates, were involved. The
"Justice Action Movement (J.A.M)," which described itself as "a unified
multi-issue coalition advocating a political system that gives each person
full representation and justice," planned nonviolent protests and an "InaugurAUCTION!
ball. Jesse Jackson called for "A Week of Moral Outrage" January
15-20 and for "Voter Integrity Rallies and Prayer Vigils" to be held at
local federal buildings on Inauguration Day. According to a National
Organization of Women press release, "Feminists will be out in force on
inauguration day to demonstrate that while our votes weren't all counted,
our voices will be heard." An "Inaugural Day Voter March" was planned
"to protest election irregularities and the disenfranchisement of voters."
Supporters of death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal gathered as well.
Protesters bearing signs were mixed in along the parade route. They
greeted the Texas float with boos as it passed Freedom Plaza.
Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.