[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       59TH INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to thank the 
staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the 59th inaugural ceremonies 
were a success even under extreme and extraordinary circumstances.
  The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, also known 
as JCCIC, is tasked with the planning and execution of the inaugural 
ceremonies of the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect of the 
United States at the Capitol. This ceremony is the culmination of 244 
years of a democracy. It is the moment when our leaders promise to be 
faithful to our Constitution. It is the moment when they become, as we 
all should be, the guardians of our country.
  I would like to thank the chair of JCCIC, Senator Blunt, for his 
outstanding work to ensure that the inauguration was an extraordinary 
success. It was a pleasure to work with Senator Blunt and his extremely 
professional staff.
  I want to commend the entire JCCIC staff, especially Maria Lohmeyer, 
the Chief of Inaugural Ceremonies, for their remarkable accomplishment. 
I also want to thank Vincent Brown, who works for me on the Senate 
Rules Committee, for his work while detailed to JCCIC, as well as my 
chief of staff, Lindsey Kerr, who worked diligently with JCCIC and many 
other agencies and offices to ensure a smooth Inauguration.
  Maria, Vincent, Lindsey, and the entire committee staff have shown 
that, through hard work and determination, the entire world can see our 
democracy prevail.
  This year's inauguration was the 59th in our country's history, and 
it may have been one of the most challenging ever to design. Planning 
an inauguration under normal circumstances is difficult, but this 
year's event occurred in the midst of a global pandemic, just 2 weeks 
after rioters climbed the inaugural stage to siege the Capitol.
  The inauguration is an important symbol in our democracy. It has 
marked the peaceful transfer of power for more than 200 years. It sends 
an important message to the American people and the world, of unity and 
a commitment to our democratic principles.
  Inauguration day represents a new beginning for the country. It marks 
the beginning of healing, of unifying, of coming together to get 
through this crisis.
  This inauguration was the result of Democrats and Republicans working 
together to bring about this important symbol of our determined 
democracy.
  And that spirit of bipartisanship, of working together, was certainly 
present on the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
  Thank you to everyone who made that incredible day one we will 
remember forever.

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