[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2804]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ESTABLISHING THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 67) 
establishing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
  The text of the Senate concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 67

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT COMMITTEE.

       There is established a Joint Congressional Committee on 
     Inaugural Ceremonies (in this resolution referred to as the 
     ``joint committee''), consisting of 3 Senators and 3 Members 
     of the House of Representatives appointed by the President of 
     the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     respectively. The joint committee is authorized to make the 
     necessary arrangements for the inauguration of the President-
     elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States.

     SEC. 2. SUPPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

       The joint committee--
       (1) is authorized to utilize appropriate equipment and the 
     services of appropriate personnel of departments and agencies 
     of the Federal Government, under arrangements between the 
     joint committee and the heads of the departments and 
     agencies, in connection with the inaugural proceedings and 
     ceremonies; and
       (2) may accept gifts and donations of goods and services to 
     carry out its responsibilities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
in the Record on this concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 67, 
which establishes the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural 
Ceremonies during the 110th Congress to begin work on preparations for 
the Presidential inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol on January 20, 
2009.
  The joint committee we are creating today expires on January 3, 2009, 
but will be renewed at the start of the 111th Congress to conclude its 
work. Congress routinely passes this concurrent resolution every 4 
years. The Speaker, majority leader, and minority leader customarily 
represent the House on the joint committee.
  I urge passage of the motion.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. Con. Res. 67, which will 
establish the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
  As everyone in this Nation knows, we are in the midst of an election 
year. It is a particularly exciting election year because it is the 
first time since 1952 that we do not have a presumptive heir apparent, 
and we have had considerable activity and considerable citizen 
interest. We are now at the point where the public is in the process of 
deciding between Senator McCain, Senator Clinton, or Senator Obama; and 
we will continue to have considerable interest in November. In fact, I 
can almost guarantee that the public will be tired of the election 
process come next November.
  But then we enter a new phase, a new phase of great excitement, and 
that is the inauguration of a new President of the United States of 
America. The inauguration of the President of the United States is not 
only an event that fills our own citizens with pride, but one that also 
demonstrates the power of democracy to the world.
  As Chief Justice Roberts swears in our 44th President, the inaugural 
ceremony will once again prove that in a free society, no matter the 
size of its army or how mighty its leaders, a peaceful transfer of 
power is possible, a peaceful transfer engendered by the choice of the 
people.
  Since 1901, all inaugural ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol have been 
organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. 
This committee was formed to ensure that the activities surrounding 
President William McKinley's second inauguration were carried out 
smoothly on the Capitol Grounds, and it has been re-formed every 4 
years since.
  The current reconstitution of the JCCIC with each Presidential cycle 
is integral to the success of one of the most powerful and humbling 
symbols of our Nation's commitment to freedom from tyranny. It is a 
marvelous occasion, and I am struck by it particularly this week as 
another great nation, Russia, is going through the presidential 
election process, almost without campaigns, because the winners have 
been pre-selected. I am proud to be part of a Nation that does not do 
that, but that encourages all citizens to consider the candidates and 
elect a citizen and a President of their choice.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the formation of this 
important joint committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 67.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution was concurred 
in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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