As a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, U.S. Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer delivered remarks today at the swearing-in of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies.
Senator Fischer played a leading role in the planning and coordination of the inaugural ceremonies. In addition to providing welcoming remarks at the ceremony, Senator Fischer introduced President Trump for his inaugural address.
You can watch Sen. Fischer’s speech below, followed by a text copy of her remarks.
The transcript:
Endurance through the years is the ultimate test. To persevere through time is the truest measure of an idea, an institution, and a nation.
Our Founders wrote the Constitution so that America could withstand all the twists and turns of time. They wrote it to guide us, and to preserve forever our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But as much as the truths and principles enshrined in our Constitution remain the same, our democracy promises the American people the power to change—to chart their own destiny. That’s the beauty, and the importance, of democracy. It allows the endurance, the permanence, of a nation through change.
It allows nations like our United States both to avoid the obstacles and to seize the opportunities God has placed before us, all while staying true to our founding principles.
Today is our country’s 60th inauguration ceremony. Like all the others before it, is a celebration of our right to set our uniquely American course. The past several years have been trying times for many Americans, and also for the nations of the free world we humbly strive to lead.
In November, Americans chose again to steer this nation towards greatness, the secure, safe, and prosperous future that our Founders envisioned for all of us.
And today, we celebrate not only their decision to do so, but also the simple right and wisdom of a free people to make their own choice, so that their nation might endure.
And now, allow me to welcome Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Reverend Franklin Graham, who will deliver our invocation. Please rise.