Emerson Radio Address: The American Way of Inauguration Day

EMERSON RADIO ADDRESS: The American Way of Inauguration Day
January 22, 2005

"Behind the bunting and beneath the flags, the President of the United States takes an oath of office to defend our Constitution and to serve our Nation.

"I do solemnly swear 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."

For the heated debate of every presidential election, there is also the cold January morning of a presidential inauguration. Every four years, the West Front grounds of the U.S. Capitol are converted into an ampitheater for the relatively new tradition of a public inauguration ceremony. It may be freezing outside, but what we see always warms our hearts, regardless of political persuasion.

Ronald Reagan was the first president to be sworn into office publicly on the West Front of the Capitol. He took his first oath of office there on January 20, 1981, as every president to succeed him has also done. Previous Inaugurations were sometimes public, sometimes private - both indoors and outdoors. The ceremony involves all three branches of our federal government: the President will assume the powers of the executive office on the steps of Congress, and his oath will be administered by a Justice of the Supreme Court. More importantly, it brings the American people together to celebrate our nation.

I enjoy the new, public ceremony. Hundreds of thousands of Americans fill the National Mall in the strong spirit of our participatory democracy. It is important for our national character that we use the event to demonstrate to the world that our system of government works, that majority rule requires minority opinions, and that embracing dissent is an integral part of our one Nation, under God. After a long election season, we sorely need strong leadership to unite us. On Inauguration Day, it is easy to see that the love of freedom, the need for debate, and the pursuit of moral values are the foundation of the land we love.

The biggest threat to the Inauguration used to be inclement weather, but now it is something far more severe. Terrorism hung over the events of last Thursday as a reminder of the challenges our nation will face in the months and years ahead. Congress will be the forum for debates over subjects both foreign and domestic, from homeland security to social security. We will debate, in public and in private, health care reform and lawsuit reform. Once again, my colleagues in the House of Representatives and I will urge the adoption of a national energy policy. As a personal
priority of mine, job creation and economic growth will constitute the core of an agenda for Americans who deserve to share in the American Dream.

At the same time, I believe we have a president who shares my desire to curb the growth of government and to limit discretionary spending. A fundamental change in how Washington views accountability is in order. The American taxpayer cannot benefit from income tax cuts or wholesale tax code reform unless spending by the government is in some way limited.

Change is always in the air at an Inauguration, even when a president's second term begins, and this year's is no different. In the weeks ahead, all of these topics will be discussed publicly by the president, congressional leaders, and me. I am interested in hearing out all of the proposals on these important subjects.

As President Bush rests his left hand on the Bible and takes this solemn oath, he also agrees to these challenges. The burden is heavy, but we are a nation that loves to fight for a good cause. Over the next four years, the leaders of our country will have their pick.

Regardless of where you watched this second Inauguration of our 43rd president, I hope the ceremonious patriotism of the oath inspired you to think about ways you, too, can serve our nation and the cause of freedom. The best way to do our civic duty is to take up the issues of today ourselves and participate in the great debates that the next four years will hold for America. More than any other way of doing things, this is the American Way."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/mo08_emerson/col_050122.html