Dear Lucas,
As I watched President Obama's swearing-in for his second term, and listened to his moving inaugural address, I couldn't help but think about just how historic this occasion was.
Today marked the 57th presidential inauguration in our country's history. Every four years, members of both political parties come together to celebrate democracy and the presidency. After elections that seem to get more and more divisive, presidential inaugurations show that we as Americans can come together to honor our long legacy of self-governance.
2013 represents many other significant anniversaries as well. This year marks the 220th anniversary of President Washington laying the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building, and the 150th anniversary of the Statue of Freedom being placed atop the Capitol dome. More importantly, it marks 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which paved the way to abolishing slavery and ensuring that all Americans are free and equal within the eyes of the law.
Four years ago, I stood on the inauguration platform and watched as President Obama took the oath of office with his hand on the Lincoln Bible. From my seat, I could see the nearly two million people on the National Mall who had come to share in the celebration. Behind the crowd, I saw the Lincoln Memorial, which honors our 16th president and his commitment to ending slavery and keeping our country whole.
Today, I stood on the same platform and watched the president take the oath once more. As I looked down the National Mall at the crowd and the monuments, I saw the newest addition – the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, sitting in its rightful place in our nation's front yard.
Dr. King did more for civil rights than any other private citizen in our country's history. It has been 45 years since Dr. King was taken from us, and 50 years since he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his Dream with the world. For his second inauguration, President Obama chose to honor that legacy by placing his hand on Dr. King's Bible as he recited the oath of office.
As we celebrate both President Obama's inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we should reflect on how far we have come as a country, and how far we still need to go.
We have seen some amazing changes over the past four years – our auto industry has recovered and continues to grow, health care has been expanded to cover many of the uninsured, and Pell grants and student loans have been extended to help make college affordable – but our work continues.
While today's inauguration was different from President Obama's first ceremony four years ago, it left me with the same sense of hope and determination that I felt then. I have faith in America's future, and I think that everyone who watched the ceremony on television or in person felt the same.
Today, we are all united in the belief that our best days are ahead.
Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator