Inauguration-2008 Presidential Campaign

Magnificent inaugural ceremonies mark the peaceful transfer of power. Inaugurals are a time of hope, of reflection on where our country stands, and of celebration, with special events and a grand parade. At noon on January 20, 2009 the president-elect will swear the oath of office and assume the responsibilites of the office. He or she will then seek to inspire the nation with a carefully crafted speech. The day will conclude with a round of stops at glamorous inaugural balls.

On the West Front of the Capitol, ailing Chief Justice William Rehnquist swore in President George W. Bush to a second term. The oath is set out in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution: "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."

Organizing the Inaugural Activities
Work on the inauguration actually begins one year earlier. The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), a joint task force of the five Armed Forces branches, is "charged with coordinating all military ceremonial participation and support" for the presidential inauguration. For the 2005 inauguration AFIC started work in Jan. 2004; it grew to a core staff of 200-plus full-time (PCS/permanent change of station) and additional personnel on temporary duty bringing the total to approximately 710 by "I-Day."

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) iss responsible for all events held at the Capitol. The JCCIC is a committee consisting of six leaders of the House and Senate, typically established by a congressional resolution passed in spring of the election year.

The final piece is the Presidential Inaugural Committee; these are formed every four years. In November 2009 the President-elect will announce leadership of a 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), charged with organizing events for the 56th Inaugural. The PIC must accomplish much of its work in a period of just two months. PIC's budget is in the tens of millions of dollars, and it has hundreds of people working to plan and organize the various activities.

Numerous agencies coordinate on security for the events of inaugural week.