Since 1789, our beautiful democracy has had the tradition of a public ceremony to begin the term of presidential leadership. Beginning with George Washington in New York City, this symbolic and constitutional taking of the Oath of Office has been handed down through times of peace and through times of war and distress. It is powerful and moving by the very nature of what it means for a democracy. I have witnessed nearly all of them my adult life, regardless of whether or not I voted for the individual taking the oath. I can remember the freezing cold of President Reagan’s second inauguration (which ended up indoors) which was my first Inauguration living on Capitol Hill, the mud that filled the fields during George W. Bush’s event and the frigid air and large screens set up during the first Obama ceremony.
Today’s historic event of the swearing in for President Biden and Vice President Harris was another first with no crowds allowed, social distancing, COVID-19 tests, masks and no traditional mass lined streets for the Inaugural parade.
However, today’s event also saw innovative ways to celebrate our history and heritage including the “Parade Across America:” A virtual event bringing Americans and performances representing all 56 states and territories using technology to highlight the beautiful diversity, heritage and resilience of our country. Ah, the use of technology and broadband to allow performers and their audience together to celebrate this transition. Using technology allows Americans to participate safely from their own homes.
There is a need for great action to move our country forward so I took solace in President Biden’s words on thinking of each other as neighbors and not as adversaries, and to bridge the divide between rural and urban America. To that end, yesterday I received a note from the new White House rural outreach outlining Biden’s plan to rescue rural America, outlining early steps to take regarding the public health and economic crisis that we are facing with COVID-19. The three page memo outlines numerous initiatives including efforts to support small business that is often the economic backbone for rural economies. The plan also notes the emphasis on engaging rural communities in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in a timely and efficient manner, and I know that this is a priority because the Presidential Transition team had already reached out earlier this week to discuss how NTCA might assist their vaccine efforts.
I remain hopeful that indeed our best days are yet to come and I took great solace and comfort from the beautiful words of our youngest inaugural poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, who at age 22 had words of wisdom for all of us well beyond her years in her memorable “The Hill We Climb.”
“For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it – if only we are brave enough to be it.”