President Obama's Inauguration

Press Release

It was my great honor to be present at the swearing-in of President Barack Obama on January 20th. I hope you too had the opportunity to pause and appreciate this unique moment we shared as a nation. The Inauguration launches a bright new chapter in American democracy - one of unity, government accountability, and a renewed sense of civic responsibility.

The size and diversity of the audience on Tuesday was overwhelming. Nearly two million people gathered on the National Mall to celebrate this peaceful transition to a new administration. The sheer massiveness and enthusiasm of that crowd embodies the new energy that has infused our democracy.

The historic significance of electing the first African American president cannot be overstated. The day after the nation honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, we swore-in a Head of State who said his "father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant." This milestone does not heal the wounds of racism, nor does it ensure equality for all. But it does inspire millions of Americans to believe in the most cherished idea of our nation - to believe that, yes, they can choose to achieve any future they dream of.

President Obama's speech highlighted two important goals of his Administration and the 111th Congress. The first is government accountability. My colleagues and I are employed by you, the citizens, and our duty is fundamentally and absolutely to serve you. The days of partisan bickering should now be relegated to the past. The essential trust between the government and its people is, and must remain, a high priority for the 111th Congress and the Obama Administration. In this time of crisis, we plan to work openly, think clearly, and spend wisely to meet the nation's pressing needs.

President Obama also emphasized the value of civic responsibility, and spoke of "the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things…who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom." Although government can solve some problems, it alone cannot provide all the solutions. The President has called on you, the people, to lend your skills and perseverance to the trials we now face. Participatory democracy requires engagement, service, and sometimes sacrifice on the part of its citizens. These are the tools needed, not only to solve our fiscal problems, but to restore our status as a global leader and a beacon of hope. I anticipate that the excitement now energizing the nation will not fade in the coming months and years but will instead grow in strength, so that we can all play a part in perfecting our Union.

Washington has barely recovered from hosting the Inauguration - but Congress and the new Administration are working, full-steam ahead. We are crafting a plan to create three to four million new jobs in the next two years. This plan will revamp our infrastructure and improve our security by pushing us toward a green future of energy independence. Health care reform, education, and peace in the Middle East are all high priorities as we begin a session of great challenges.

But with great challenges come great opportunities. As we move ahead, I plan to work with Republicans and Democrats to serve Iowa's Third District. I hope you look toward the future, as I do, with determination and optimism; with an awareness of the challenges we face, and hope for the great changes we can make.

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