Inaugural Committee Previews Weekend’s Festivities
- Washington DC 01/17/2013 by Sheryl Gay Stolberg (NY Times)


“I love the idea of any show that begins with Chuck Schumer and ends with Beyoncé.”— Brent Colburn, communications director for President Obama’s inaugural committee, describing Monday’s swearing in ceremony on the west front ofthe Capitol. Senator Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat, will make remarks opening the ceremony and Beyoncé will sing the national anthem at the end.

The quote of the day comes from a news conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday to preview this weekend’s festivities.

Other highlights from the inaugural curtain raiser: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will deliver the oath to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., becoming the first Latina to do so.

The president will take his official oath on Sunday in the Blue Room of the White House. Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden will lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday. There will be more than 10,000 participants in the inaugural parade.

Specific information about how much donors gave to the Presidential Inaugural Committee will be available 90 days after the inauguration.

There will be more than 2,000 events across the country as a part of Saturday’s national day of service. Chelsea Clinton will appear at an event on the National Mall along with the actress Eva Longoria, the musician Ben Folds and the Delaware attorney general, Beau Biden, son of
the vice president.

And no, all you Springsteen fans, The Boss will not be there — “as far as I know" Mr. Colburn said.

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The President and the First Lady dancing at 2012 Inaugauration Ball