| On January 20, we all witnessed a truly historic event with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. I considered myself extremely fortunate to be able to watch the ceremony from the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Members of Congress and Senators were seated on risers behind the area where President Obama and Vice President Biden took the oath of office. From this vantage point I was able to look out on a sight that I will surely never forget; a virtual sea of hope stretched from the western front of the Capitol almost to the Lincoln Memorial - a distance of nearly two miles.
The estimated 1.8 million people who were present on the mall included residents from the Fifth District who traveled to Washington to be a part of history. I hosted constituents in my office as they came by to pick up their tickets the day before the inauguration. Everyone I spoke with expressed a tremendous sense of excitement, pride, and hope.
The enthusiasm that American's feel about President Obama and their belief in his ability to bring real change to Washington was clearly evident. The record breaking numbers of people who braved cold temperatures and long lines did so to hear the President's plans to unite our country at this time of uncertainty. They cheered his call for a new era of service to our fellow countrymen and commitment to building a more prosperous nation for all.
The ceremony was a monumental moment in our nation's history. The inauguration of our nation's first African American President occurred within sight of the Lincoln Memorial where 45 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose memory we also observed last week, called upon our nation to bestow the blessings of liberty and equality on all our citizens. During Dr. King's historic address, he so movingly laid before us the inherent contradiction of a Constitution which proclaims one set of ideals and a society that practiced another. But he also placed his trust in our ability to create a more equal and just nation based on the common dreams, sense of purpose, and hopes that we all share - regardless of race.
In the years that followed Dr. King's speech, we have traveled a great distance. Tuesday's inauguration was all but unthinkable a generation ago. Because of the progress that we have made as a country, President Obama will be judged on his abilities, successes, and failures.
The challenges that the Obama administration and the nation are facing are profound. Our economic circumstances are the most difficult since World War II. Health care reform, energy independence, and climate change solutions are all urgently needed. We are engaged in two wars and must work to restore our international standing.
I look forward to working with our new President, the new Congress and with you as we work to solve these and other challenges.
Please stay in touch!
|
