William Jefferson Clinton was sworn in for his second term as the 42nd president Monday, calling for America to build a bridge to "a new land of promise" in the 21st century.
As the sun symbolically peeked through the clouds for the first time after days of frozen weather, a solemn Clinton took the oath on the west front of the Capitol from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist.In his inaugural speech, Clinton recounted America's achievements in the 20th century - and called for America to rally for an even brighter 21st century by creating "a new land of promise."
"With a new vision of government, a new sense of responsibility, a new spirit of community, we will sustain America's journey. The promise we sought in a new land, we will find again in a land of new promise," he said to cheers.
In that new land of promise, he said, "Education will be every citizen's most prized possession. . . . The knowledge and power of the Information Age will be within the reach not of a few, but of every classroom, every library, every child."
He added, "Our streets will echo with the laughter of children, because our neighborhoods are safe again. Everyone who can work, will work, with today's permanent underclass a part of tomorrow's growing middle class."
Also, he said in his vision of the next century that "we will stand mighty for peace and freedom, and maintain a strong defense against the dark forces of terror and destruction. . . . (And) the world's greatest democracy will lead a whole world of democracies."
He also envisioned "a nation that fortifies the world's most productive economy, even as it protects our great natural bounty of water, air and majestic lands."
He said the land of promise includes a nation that balances its budget but never loses sight of its values. He also held out an olive leaf to Republicans who control Congress, saying America elected them and him to try to work out their differences and move the country forward - and not to continue petty arguments or partisanship.
"America demands and deserves big things from us - and nothing ever came from being small," Clinton said.
He added, "We must not waste the precious gift of this time. For all of us are on that same journey of life, and our journey, too, will come to an end. But the journey of America must go on."
Clinton said such a bright future is possible, considering what America has done this century.
"What a century it has been. America became the world's mightiest industrial power; saved the world from tyranny in two world wars and a long Cold War; and time and again, reached across the globe to millions who longed for the blessings of liberty.
"Along the way, America produced the great middle class and security in old age; built unrivaled centers of learning and opened public schools to all; split the atom and explored the heavens; invented the computer and the microchip; made a revolution in civil rights for minorities; and extended the circle of citizenship, opportunity and dignity to women."
He said a great conflict over the role of government also seems to have been resolved in the past couple of years.
"We need a new government for a new century: a government humble enough not to try to solve all our problems for us, but strong enough to give us the tools to solve our problems for ourselves" - which brought cheers from the Republican Congress seated to his side.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Clinton's first act of his second term was to sign a proclamation making Monday a national day of hope and renewal - to match the themes of his talk.
As part of the journey to the new land of promise, Clinton also had a high-tech first Monday: His inaugural ceremonies were the first ever broadcast live over the Internet.
Just 150 years ago, James Polk's inaugural address was the first sent by telegraph. Its inventor, Samuel F.B. Morse, tapped it out. A hundred years ago, William McKinley was the first to have his inauguration recorded on motion pictures.
And 68 years ago in 1929, Herbert Hoover was the first to have his inauguration broadcast on the radio. Forty-eight years ago, Harry Truman was the first to have his inauguration broadcast on tele-vi-sion.
Before Clinton took his oath of office, Vice President Al Gore was sworn in by Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Gins-burg.
Also participating in the program were opera star Jessye Norman, who sang a medley of traditional, religious and patriotic songs; the Rev. Billy Graham, who gave the invocation; Arkansas poet Miller Williams, who read an original poem; the Children of the Gospel choir from Washington; the Immanuel Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir from Arkansas; Baptist Rev. Gardner C. Taylor, who gave the benediction; and singer Santita Jackson, daughter of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.
Clinton's speech was relatively short for him - less than a half hour.
The complete text of the president's speech is available online at (http://www.desnews.com).