49TH INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

RONALD W.

REAGAN

January 20, 1981

GEORGE H.W.

BUSH

INAUGURAL COMMITTEE

Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-OR), Chair

Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. (R-TN)

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)

Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI)

Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)

Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)

Rep. Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. (D-MA)

Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)

THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES

The Swearing-In Ceremony:

Ronald Reagan was sworn-in as the 40th President of the United States, and George H. W. Bush was sworn-in as the 43rd Vice President of the United States.

Location:

West Front, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC

Weather:

Mostly cloudy and mild, with a noon temperature of 55°F.

Bible:

Family Bible given to him by his mother, open to II Chronicles 7:14.

THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES

The Swearing-In Ceremony:

Ronald Reagan was sworn-in as the 40th President of the United States, and George H. W. Bush was sworn-in as the 43rd Vice President of the United States.

Location:

West Front, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC

Weather:

Mostly cloudy and mild, with a noon temperature of 55°F.

Bible:

Family Bible given to him by his mother, open to II Chronicles 7:14.

FACTS, FIRSTS, AND PRECEDENTS

First Inauguration held on the west front of the U.S. Capitol; Reagan’s first Inauguration was also the warmest on record with a noon temperature of 55°F.

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CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOMING REMARKS

The Honorable Mark O. Hatfield

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INVOCATION

Rev. Donn Moonaw

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VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE

Administered to George H. W. Bush by the Honorable Potter Stewart, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

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PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE

Administered to Ronald W. Reagan by the Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the United States.

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INAUGURAL ADDRESS

President Ronald W. Reagan 

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THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Juanita Booker

SIGNING CEREMONY

After the departure of the former President and First Lady, the new President gathers in the President’s Room just off of the Senate Chamber to sign nominations and sometimes memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders. President Reagan, surrounded by the JCCIC Members and Vice President Bush, signs his first official actions taken as the newly sworn President of the United States—an Executive Order on the federal hiring freeze and cabinet member nominations.

THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

After the departure of the former President and First Lady, the new President gathers in the President’s Room just off of the Senate Chamber to sign nominations and sometimes memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders. President Reagan, surrounded by the JCCIC Members and Vice President Bush, signs his first official actions taken as the newly sworn President of the United States—an Executive Order on the federal hiring freeze and cabinet member nominations.

THE INAUGURAL LUNCHEON

Members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosted a luncheon in honor of the newly sworn-in President and Vice President. Approximately 200 guests including the new President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership attended­­ the event in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

THE INAUGURAL LUNCHEON

Members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosted a luncheon in honor of the newly sworn-in President and Vice President. Approximately 200 guests including the new President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership attended­­ the event in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

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WELCOMING AND OPENING REMARKS

The Honorable Mark O. Hatfield, Chairman, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

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REMARKS AND TOAST

President Ronald W. Reagan
Vice President George H. W. Bush

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LUNCHEON MENU

FIRST COURSE

The California Garden Salad  

SECOND COURSE

Medallions of Chicken Piquante 
with Rice Pilaf
Fresh Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette 

THIRD COURSE

Strawberries Framboise

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ENTERTAINMENT

Army Strolling Strings and Air Force Quartet

PASS IN REVIEW

President Ronald W. Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, and Second Lady Barbara Bush, along with Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, U.S. Army, is commander of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), stand on the steps of the East Front to participate in the Pass in Review prior to departing the Capitol for the Inaugural Parade to the White House.