Swearing-In Ceremony for President James E. Carter
Forty-Eighth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1977
Program
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
- Howard W. Cannon
Musical Selection
"America the Beautiful" performed by the United States Marine Band
Invocation
Bishop William R. Cannon of the United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA
Musical Selection
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by selected voices from Atlanta University, Clark Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Spelman Colleges, and the Interdenominational Theological Center conducted by Dr. Wendell P. Whalum and accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Walter Mondale by the Honorable Thomas P. O’Neill Jr., Speaker of the House of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to James E. Carter by the Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Bible Used: Family Bible, open to VI Micah 6:8, and the Bible used by George Washington (belonging to St. John's Mason Lodge No. 1)
- Attire: Business suit (breaking with tradition of formal attire followed by predecessors)
Inaugural Address
‘For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.’
Read the address
(Words: 1228)
Benediction
The Most Reverend John R. Roach, archbishop of St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN
The National Anthem
Cantor Issac Goodfriend of Atlanta, GA accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band
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Location
East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DCWeather
It was cold and sunny. The wind chill temperature was in the teens. Estimated noon temperature of 28°F.
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Facts, Firsts & Precedents
Jimmy Carter was the first President to walk from the Capitol to the White House in the parade following the swearing-in ceremony.
Carter requested that the Inaugural luncheon, hosted by the JCCIC be canceled.
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Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Howard W. Cannon (D-NV), Chair
- Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
- Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-OR)
- Rep. Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. (D-MA)
- Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)
- Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)