SCHUMER ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF STATEWIDE LOTTERY FOR TICKETS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SECOND SWEARING-IN - JOINED BY DOZENS OF WINNERS AND FAMILIES FROM NYC AND LI
brSenator Also Demands House Pass Sandy Aid Package Before Years End - Legislation Overcame Senate Filibuster on Friday, And will Pass Senate This WeekbrbrbrEach of the 225 Winners Will Receive Two Tickets to the 57th Swearing-In Ceremony - Tens of Thousands Of New Yorkers Entered the Lotterybrbr
Joined by eleven metro area winners and their families, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the winners of his statewide lottery for tickets to President Barack Obama's Inauguration. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers entered the lottery. Schumer's office selected 225 winners from across New York State, each of whom will receive two general admission tickets to the Inauguration to be held on January 21 st, 2013. Schumer is chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and announced his lottery in November. Schumer said that because of the limited number of tickets, the lottery was the only fair way to distribute the tickets his office received.
Schumer was joined by twelve winners from the New York City metro area: Arlene Hudson of Queens; Dwana Taylor of Bay Shore; Gjafer Gjeshbitraj of Staten Island; Jeff Kobrinsky of Port Washington; Jackie Carter of Manhattan; Chenise MarineRice of Manhattan; Caswell Morant of the Bronx; Ed Snowden of Manhattan; Mary McPortland of East Hampton; Kathleen Randall of Manhattan; Doug Condit of the Bronx and Sophia DeBow of the Bronx.
"I am thrilled for these New Yorkers, who will soon be headed to Washington D.C. to witness a piece of America's history," Schumer said. "The winners of this lottery have the unique opportunity to attend President Barack Obama's swearingin ceremony and I am positive they will remember this moment for years and years to come. Although I wish all of America could attend the Inauguration, there is only so much space, and I ask you to join me in congratulating these lucky New Yorkers for winning their tickets."
In total, 225 New Yorkers won tickets to President Barack Obama's Inauguration. The metroarea winners break down as follows: 8 winners in the Bronx, 23 in Brooklyn, 18 in Manhattan, 14 in Queens, and 9 in Staten Island. Long Island has 20 winners, 12 in Suffolk County and 8 in Nassau County.
Every person wishing admittance to the Inaugural Ceremonies, including children, must have a ticket. Individuals without valid tickets will not be admitted. Tickets are colorcoded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony. Entrance will be granted only at the gate indicated on your ticket.
The 57 th quadrennial Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies will take place on January 21, 2013. The day begins with a procession to the nation's Capitol. Schumer will accompany President Obama to the Capitol for the ceremonies and Inaugural luncheon. A parade will follow the events at the Capitol, featuring marching bands, marching units, and other performers chosen by the Joint Task ForceNational Capitol Region.
President Obama will take his oath of office on the west front of the United States Capitol. The oath of office, prescribed in Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution is as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." The oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Following the swearingin ceremony, President Obama will give his second Inaugural address. The custom of delivering an address on Inauguration Day started with George Washington's Inauguration on April 30, 1789. After taking his oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, Washington proceeded to the Senate chamber where he read a speech before members of Congress and other dignitaries. His second Inauguration took place in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793, in the Senate chamber of Congress Hall. Washington gave the shortest Inaugural address on record, 135 words, before repeating the oath of office. The tradition of delivering an Inaugural address has continued to this day. And although Inaugural traditions have changed through the years, their basic foundation has remained unchanged. The American Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies, with its speeches and attendant festivities, has represented both national renewal and continuity of leadership for the past two hundred and will continue to do so into the future.
