The Fifty-Seventh Presidential Inauguration on January 21, 2013 presented by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Swearing-In Ceremony for President William J. Clinton

Fifty-Third Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1997

Program

Prelude

The United States Marine Band, Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Foley, Director

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks

  • John Warner

Invocation

  • The Reverend Billy Graham

Musical Selection

Children of the Gospel: The Next Generation. Rickey Payton, Sr., Conductor

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Albert A. Gore Jr. by the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library

Musical Selection

  • Jessye Norman

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to William J. Clinton by the Honorable William Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Architect of the Capitol

  • Bible Used: King James Bible, given to him by grandmother, open to Isaiah 58:12 (same Bible used at his 1993 Inauguration)
  • Attire: Dark business suit, burgundy tie

Inaugural Address

‘My fellow citizens: At this last Presidential inauguration of the 20th century, let us lift our eyes toward the challenges that await us in the next century.’

Read the address
(Words: 2155)

Musical Selection

Immanuel Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra; The Reverend Lynn Madden, Musical Director

Poetry Selection

  • Miller Williams

Benediction

  • The Reverend Gardner C. Taylor

The National Anthem

Santita Jackson and the Resurrection Choir

  • Location

    West Front,
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, DC

    Weather

    Partly sunny with a high overcast. Winds were from the south at 7 mph. Estimated noon temperature of 34°F.

  • Facts, Firsts & Precedents

    First Inaugural ceremony broadcast live on the Internet.

  • Inaugural Committee

Video

U.S. Senate Recording Studio

The second swearing-in of President Bill Clinton marked the last presidential inauguration of the 20th century. For the first time, the ceremony was streamed live over the Internet. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice William Rehnquist as Clinton;s w'fe, Hillary, and daughter, Chelsea, stood beside the President. Inauguration Day 1997 coincided with the national holiday commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.