Speeches
Pelosi Remarks at 2009 Presidential Inaugural First Nail Ceremony
09/24/2008
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies on the West Front Terrace of the U.S. Capitol this morning to drive in the first nails for the January 20th presidential inaugural platform. Below are her remarks:
“I am pleased to be with Leader Reid, Chairwoman Feinstein, Senator Bennett and Acting Architect of the Capitol Ayers for this first nail ceremony.
“From the West Front of our Capitol next January, a new President will launch a new Administration. As with every inaugural—even when they have occurred in times of turmoil and uncertainty—this event offers the promise of a new beginning.
“This is part of the beauty of America. While we hold fast to our shared values and history, every new Congress and new Administration offer opportunities for fresh starts.
“That is why Abraham Lincoln—whose 200th birthday America observes next year—could offer the sentiment during his second Inaugural Address, ‘with malice toward none with charity for all,’ even as the United States remained divided by civil war.
“That is why Franklin Roosevelt, the greatest President of the 20th century, could boldly declare ‘we have nothing to fear but fear itself,’ even as our nation faced the greatest economic crisis in our history.
“On January 20, 2009, Americans and citizens of the world will again turn their attention to the steps of this Capitol to listen to a new President and that leader’s vision for a renewed America.
“We will face that future together as Americans, and therefore as optimists, who believe that every new day grants us and our nation a new measure of hope.
“I look forward, as all Americans do, to that new day.”