Inaugural Committee Selects Lincoln Theme

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

Both were legislators from Illinois. Both came to office in historic elections at momentous times. The presidency of one enabled the election of the other more than a century later. And in his acceptance speech last night President-elect Barack Obama quoted the words of his predecessor Abraham Lincoln.

This morning, with the start of the 76-day countdown to the Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration, the congressional committee in charge of the swearing-in ceremony announced that the theme of the event would come from Lincoln's words and would be linked to the 200th anniversary of his birth next year.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), said the inaugural theme is "A New Birth of Freedom" -- words from the Gettysburg Address -- and will commemorate the Feb. 12, 2009, Lincoln Bicentennial.

The theme -- each inauguration gets at least one -- was selected by Feinstein and the members of the inaugural committee. It will be woven throughout the inaugural ceremonies, the committee said.

"At a time when our country faces major challenges at home and abroad, it is appropriate to revisit the words of President Lincoln, who strived to bring the nation together by appealing to 'the better angels of our nature,' " Feinstein said in a statement. "It is especially fitting to celebrate the words of Lincoln as we prepare to inaugurate the first African American president of the United States....

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/05/AR2008110502751.html

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

1. Stunning - just stunning

I am really going to be forced to go now.

[quiet.american]

2. Couldn't be more fitting. nt

[ananda]

3. Tanfastic!

Lincoln emancipated the slaves, and Obama
has emancipated America from the grip of
the Reeps.

Yeah buddy!

[roguevalley]

4. full circle. this is so awesome. I love Lincoln.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Perfect....2 tall skinny guys from Illinois...

[Imagevision]

6. Obama should persuade Stevie Wonder to come out and play; "Signed sealed delivered I'm yours' that

would really fill the bill, sort of like "yes we can...?

[Lugnut]

7. How perfect.

The whole country will be partying.

[liberal N proud]

8. 200 years after Lincolns birth

His legacy is fulfilled