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Chu, Schiff and Kennedy Attend Biden Inauguration

Chu calls for holding Trump accountable for attack on Capitol; Schiff says ‘How wise a choice the country had made in picking Joe Biden’

Published on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 | 10:35 am
 
In this photograph taken by Councilmember John Kennedy, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and President Joe Biden stand on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. beside Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Craig Emhoff during Inauguration Day ceremonies.

City Councilmember John Kennedy was among a number of local representatives that attended Wednesday’s inauguration of President Joe Biden on the steps of the Capitol. 

Reps Adam Schiff and Judy Chu, who represent Pasadena, also attended the event.  

Kennedy, the council’s District 3 representative, hosted an event for Biden at his home in July 2019. Biden also appeared at Pasadena City College in August of that year.

Pasadena Congresswoman Judy Chu snapped this selfie during Inauguration events in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo)

Chu said the inauguration marked “a new era for our country.”

“As I made my way to my seat for the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this morning, I kept thinking about what a triumph of democracy it was to have this historic and moving ceremony right at the same site where rioters attacked the capitol only two weeks before. A mere 14 days ago, I was hiding in my office for hours, terrified to open the door because I did not know if rioters who might attack, kidnap or murder me were on the other side,” Chu said. “The rioters wanted to halt our democratic process, but today we saw the inauguration of a President who won in a free and fair election. And despite the violent threats, we came together and held a beautiful and moving inauguration ceremony that commemorated this consequential moment.” 

Schiff said the inauguration marked a new beginning, 

For a nation that never got to celebrate the new year, this was New Year’s Day. Listening to President Biden’s inaugural address, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the future, about our nation’s endless ability to remake itself, to renew itself, to press on with hope for the future no matter how difficult the past.”

In his prepared statement, Schiff, a former federal prosecutor who led the first impeachment of Trump, said he was struck by “how wise a choice the country had made in picking Joe Biden, his fundamental goodness and decency, his sincere calls for unity, his experience with loss and recovery, his devotion to truth and dignity.

“The lesson of the past four years has been a profound one – our democracy is not self-effectuating. It is up to us, to every generation, to protect and defend it, to cherish and preserve it,” he said. “As our new president said today: ‘We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.’”

In the statement, Schiff said the immediate road ahead will not be easy to navigate, primarily because the nation faces four crises — a crisis in health, with the economy, with the climate, and one with racial justice. 

“All of these challenges require urgent action,” Schiff wrote, “and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will devote themselves completely to helping us overcome. President Biden will be a president for all Americans, just as Harris will do the same.

“There is significant work to be done,” Schiff concluded, “but America has never shied away from a challenge just because it is hard. I am clear-eyed about the long road to recovery, but after today’s inauguration, I’m feeling hopeful about our future. The process of renewal and restoration has begun at long last,” he wrote.

“America is resilient, and we build back better. That’s the American way.”

In a statement, Councilman Kennedy said he was honored to “see up close and personal the peaceful transfer of power in the United States of America.”

Biden, Kennedy said, has “a monumental task” in front of him to bring all of America together.

“All of us may not admit it, but in our heart of hearts we know that there is a better America and together, WE THE PEOPLE make it so,” he said, “So I, for one, say God bless President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.  We are still the United States of America!”

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