Just a quick story about moving the Presidential Inauguration indoors.
I was in Washington, D.C. the last time this happened in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan was to be sworn in to his second term. At the time, I was a young presidential campaign staffer who had just received an appointment to the USDA Office of Congressional Affairs.
My recollection was it was about 5 degrees on inauguration day (it was actually -8), and like today, they did not want to place workers at the U.S. Capitol, Capitol Police, or anyone in the public in danger. We watched the ceremony from our televisions, but still were able to enjoy the Inaugural Balls taking place throughout our nation’s capital that evening.
At that time, I couldn’t have dreamed that I would become a part of U.S. Senator Bob Dole’s staff and the team that helped to plan the 1988 Inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, a short four years later.
I learned all the ins and outs, the pomp, circumstance, and ceremony. I saw the majesty and the intensity of the day first hand from our office in the U.S. Capitol. I even got to meet Clint Black and his wife, Lisa Hartman, who got there early and were seated awaiting the arrival of the President, Vice President, and many VIP guests. It was quite a thrill to meet them and it comes full circle that Clint Black will perform at the Alameda County Fairgrounds this July!