Congresswoman Jackie Speier
Representing the 12th District of California
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Information for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden
The new president will take the Oath of Office on the steps of the United States Capitol at noon on Tuesday, January 20.
SCHEDULE FOR INAUGURAL WEEK
Updated information can be obtained, as soon as it is released, by visiting the Presidential Inaugural website.
Saturday, January 17
The inaugural celebration begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city where our democracy was born. President-elect Obama and his family will board a train bound for Wilmington, Delaware, where they will pick up Vice-President-elect Biden and his family. The train makes another stop in Baltimore, Maryland for an event prior to arriving at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station in the afternoon.
Sunday, January 18
President-elect Barack Obama will kick off Washington's official inaugural activities with a free public event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the afternoon. The exact time has not been set.
(Foggy Bottom Metro stop)
Monday, January 19
Congresswoman Jackie Speier hosts a Constituent Open House from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in her congressional office - 211 Cannon House Office Building. (Capitol South Metro stop).
In honor of the Martin Luther King Day holiday, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families invite you to join them in activities dedicated to serving others. (Watch for details on the Inaugural website)
A youth concert will be held in the evening at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C.. The concert is free, but tickets are required.
Tuesday, January 20 - Inauguration Day
10 a.m. - Festivities commence on the west front of the U.S. Capitol. For the first time ever, the entire National Mall will be open to the public for the swearing-in ceremony.
Musical performances by The United States Marine Band, the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks by California Senator Dianne Feinstein
Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
Musical performance by the legendary Aretha Franklin
Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
Musical performance by composer/arranger John Williams, vilonist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill
Noon - President-elect Barack Obama takes the Oath of Office, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
President Obama's Inaugural Address
A poem by Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem performed by The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
After the public ceremony, President Obama will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
The 56th Inaugural Parade will begin after the luncheon and will make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
In the evening, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host ten official Inaugural Balls. Details will be released at a later date.
Wednesday, January 21
The new President and Vice President will participate in a prayer service.
If you plan on attending any of these events, please stay up-to-date by visiting www.pic2009.org.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
What time should I arrive for the swearing-in ceremony?
While the actual swearing-in will take place around noon, the formal program begins at 11:30 AM and the musical prelude will begin at 10:00. Security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 AM and I suggest arriving no later than 9:00 to ensure that you are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins. Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 AM and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds.
Do I need a ticket for the inaugural parade?
While there are a limited number of bleacher tickets available, most of the parade route is open to the public, first come, first served.
How do I get to the Inauguration and parade?
Getting to the swearing-in ceremonies will be difficult because of the large crowds. A security perimeter will be established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route on or before January 20, 2009. Subway stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter will be closed. Street closures throughout Washington, D.C., will make traveling by car or taxi very difficult. Bridges from Virginia crossing the Potomac River into Washington, D.C., as well as major roadways from Maryland into Washington, D.C., may be closed to all but bus traffic.
The District of Columbia’s inaugural website, http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp, will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. Check it frequently for changing information.
For those staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walking to the swearing-in ceremony will be the most reliable method of reaching the ticketed seated and standing areas. Be sure to carefully plan your return trip as well – it won’t be possible to cross the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route, except at designated points and Metro will be extremely crowded.
Beyond 2 Miles of the Capitol, use public transportation to get you as close as possible and walk from there. D.C.’s subway system will be running “rush-hour” service all day, but is expecting “crush-level” crowds. Be prepared to wait for space on a train for long periods of time, during which you will have to stand in close proximity to several thousand people. Many Metro escalators will be closed due to crowding and individuals will need to climb Metro stairs or wait to utilize the small number of elevators at Metro stations.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to run Metrobuses on Inauguration Day. Check its website, www.wmata.com, for information regarding routes and schedules. As with any other travel planning for January 20, please allow extra time and prepare a back-up plan.
AMTRAK www.amtrak.com and regional commuter trains Virginia Railway Express (VRE) www.vre.org and MARC (Maryland) Commuter Train mtamaryland.com/services/marc/ will be operating reserved trains on special schedules and are expected to sell out well in advance of January 20. Please visit their websites for more information.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
There will be no vehicular access or parking in the areas around the Capitol on January 20, 2009. This includes vehicles with special disability license plates or tags. While there will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated as drop-off points for persons with disabilities, traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult.
There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol grounds, however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis. Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather).
What will the weather be like in Washington, DC?
January is historically cold and wet. Prepare for temperatures well below freezing. Crowds will be large and you will likely be outside for several hours. Regardless of the weather conditions, umbrellas will not be permitted in the ticketed areas.
What other items are prohibited?
Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), Explosives of any kind (including fireworks), Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length), Mace and/or pepper spray, Sticks or poles, Pockets or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”, Packages, Backpacks, Large bags, Duffel bags, Suitcases, Thermoses, Coolers, Strollers, Laser pointers, Signs, Posters, Animals (other than service animals), Alcoholic beverages, Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
Can I schedule a US Capitol tour during my visit?
Due to security considerations, the Capitol Building will be closed to the public from Friday, January 17 until Wednesday, January 21. However, the new Capitol Visitors Center will be open.
The new president will take the Oath of Office on the steps of the United States Capitol at noon on Tuesday, January 20.
SCHEDULE FOR INAUGURAL WEEK
Updated information can be obtained, as soon as it is released, by visiting the Presidential Inaugural website.
Saturday, January 17
The inaugural celebration begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city where our democracy was born. President-elect Obama and his family will board a train bound for Wilmington, Delaware, where they will pick up Vice-President-elect Biden and his family. The train makes another stop in Baltimore, Maryland for an event prior to arriving at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station in the afternoon.
Sunday, January 18
President-elect Barack Obama will kick off Washington's official inaugural activities with a free public event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the afternoon. The exact time has not been set.
(Foggy Bottom Metro stop)
Monday, January 19
Congresswoman Jackie Speier hosts a Constituent Open House from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in her congressional office - 211 Cannon House Office Building. (Capitol South Metro stop).
In honor of the Martin Luther King Day holiday, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families invite you to join them in activities dedicated to serving others. (Watch for details on the Inaugural website)
A youth concert will be held in the evening at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C.. The concert is free, but tickets are required.
Tuesday, January 20 - Inauguration Day
10 a.m. - Festivities commence on the west front of the U.S. Capitol. For the first time ever, the entire National Mall will be open to the public for the swearing-in ceremony.
Musical performances by The United States Marine Band, the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks by California Senator Dianne Feinstein
Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
Musical performance by the legendary Aretha Franklin
Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
Musical performance by composer/arranger John Williams, vilonist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill
Noon - President-elect Barack Obama takes the Oath of Office, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
President Obama's Inaugural Address
A poem by Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem performed by The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
After the public ceremony, President Obama will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
The 56th Inaugural Parade will begin after the luncheon and will make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
In the evening, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host ten official Inaugural Balls. Details will be released at a later date.
Wednesday, January 21
The new President and Vice President will participate in a prayer service.
If you plan on attending any of these events, please stay up-to-date by visiting www.pic2009.org.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
What time should I arrive for the swearing-in ceremony?
While the actual swearing-in will take place around noon, the formal program begins at 11:30 AM and the musical prelude will begin at 10:00. Security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 AM and I suggest arriving no later than 9:00 to ensure that you are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins. Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 AM and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds.
Do I need a ticket for the inaugural parade?
While there are a limited number of bleacher tickets available, most of the parade route is open to the public, first come, first served.
How do I get to the Inauguration and parade?
Getting to the swearing-in ceremonies will be difficult because of the large crowds. A security perimeter will be established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route on or before January 20, 2009. Subway stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter will be closed. Street closures throughout Washington, D.C., will make traveling by car or taxi very difficult. Bridges from Virginia crossing the Potomac River into Washington, D.C., as well as major roadways from Maryland into Washington, D.C., may be closed to all but bus traffic.
The District of Columbia’s inaugural website, http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp, will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. Check it frequently for changing information.
For those staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walking to the swearing-in ceremony will be the most reliable method of reaching the ticketed seated and standing areas. Be sure to carefully plan your return trip as well – it won’t be possible to cross the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route, except at designated points and Metro will be extremely crowded.
Beyond 2 Miles of the Capitol, use public transportation to get you as close as possible and walk from there. D.C.’s subway system will be running “rush-hour” service all day, but is expecting “crush-level” crowds. Be prepared to wait for space on a train for long periods of time, during which you will have to stand in close proximity to several thousand people. Many Metro escalators will be closed due to crowding and individuals will need to climb Metro stairs or wait to utilize the small number of elevators at Metro stations.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to run Metrobuses on Inauguration Day. Check its website, www.wmata.com, for information regarding routes and schedules. As with any other travel planning for January 20, please allow extra time and prepare a back-up plan.
AMTRAK www.amtrak.com and regional commuter trains Virginia Railway Express (VRE) www.vre.org and MARC (Maryland) Commuter Train mtamaryland.com/services/marc/ will be operating reserved trains on special schedules and are expected to sell out well in advance of January 20. Please visit their websites for more information.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
There will be no vehicular access or parking in the areas around the Capitol on January 20, 2009. This includes vehicles with special disability license plates or tags. While there will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated as drop-off points for persons with disabilities, traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult.
There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol grounds, however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis. Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather).
What will the weather be like in Washington, DC?
January is historically cold and wet. Prepare for temperatures well below freezing. Crowds will be large and you will likely be outside for several hours. Regardless of the weather conditions, umbrellas will not be permitted in the ticketed areas.
What other items are prohibited?
Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), Explosives of any kind (including fireworks), Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length), Mace and/or pepper spray, Sticks or poles, Pockets or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”, Packages, Backpacks, Large bags, Duffel bags, Suitcases, Thermoses, Coolers, Strollers, Laser pointers, Signs, Posters, Animals (other than service animals), Alcoholic beverages, Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
Can I schedule a US Capitol tour during my visit?
Due to security considerations, the Capitol Building will be closed to the public from Friday, January 17 until Wednesday, January 21. However, the new Capitol Visitors Center will be open.
Please bring with you any medications that you may need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events.
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