Statement made on 28 January 2009 by Senator Jerahmiel Grafstein (retired)
Hon. Jerahmiel S. Grafstein:
Honourable senators, the Obama inaugural events were indeed a celebration of democracy. The word "freedom" resounded in words and music and reminded the vast audience of the words spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King 50 years earlier in the same memorable venue.
I was given the privilege of a coveted seat on the Senate side of Capitol Hill in front of the podium. It took me over two and a half hours to wend my way through the happy throngs. Seated next to me, some 25 yards away from the podium, was one of the world's greatest filmmakers, George Lucas, and on the other side was a well-known chief executive officer of a major American bank and his wife. Around me, Americans from every corner of the United States, who were bundled against the cold in their mufflers and gloves, shared chocolates and exchanged friendly greetings and exciting experiences.
No student of crowds and power could fail to admire the magnificent behaviour of the people who came to share in the history making. Indeed, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment when hopes and history converged. The premise of the brilliant book entitled The Wisdom of Crowds: How the Many Are Smarter than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations was demonstrated.
Reaching down from the heights of Capitol Hill to the distant Washington Monument, the crowds paid rapt and respectful attention to every aspect of the program. Moist eyes changed to tears — from the young, the old, the disabled and the joyous who came flooding in for this memorable experience. It started from the first moment of the formal program that began with the children's choir followed by the stirring themes from "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.
Beginning with a rolling chant of "Obama" cutting through the air, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts was introduced to administer the oath of office. Senator Obama, who had voted against the confirmation of Chief Justice Roberts, was there in an ironic note to the ritual proceedings. The Chief Justice stumbled over the words of the presidential oath enshrined in the Constitution, misplacing the word "faithful," to the twitter of the crowds. Later that day, a second ceremony took place where President Obama was again administered the oath of office in a more constitutionally-correct fashion. Then, President Obama, without coat, wearing a bright red tie, spoke firmly and forcefully to the enraptured audience of millions in Washington and around the world, striking a solemn and serious note in tune with the uncertain times. Moist eyes turned to tears and tears poured down, especially from those African-Americans, many of whom sat near me. Then a poem in plain language was read by President Obama's favourite poet. Finally, a thundering, concluding invocation was given by a grizzled veteran of the civil rights movement and a compatriot of the late Martin Luther King, Jr., who invoked over and over again the word "freedom."
Later, I reluctantly made my way to the Embassy of Canada, which was emblazoned with Obama posters and the location of a wonderful party hosted by Ambassador Wilson. It was a unique place from which to watch the presidential parade as it passed along Pennsylvania Avenue where President Obama and his wife rode to take up their official residence at the White House for the first time. We met Canadians and Americans from all walks of life at this wonderful, crowded event.
Honourable senators, President Obama entered the White House as the Chief Executive and forty-fourth President of the United States. We are told that he started his first day without wasting any time and, once in the Oval Office, began signing new executive orders. Welcome from dreamland, back to the world of political reality.
On reflection, honourable senators, America, a beacon of democracy, has recaptured its lead in the minds and the hearts of Americans, friends and foes alike around the globe. The American experiment in freedom and democracy was visibly renewed. We now hold high expectations and higher hope that the world can be inspired to achieve the political promise of change we witnessed in this democratic ritual.
We live in memorable and troubled times. We experienced the wisdom of crowds on that cold day in Washington and it was a new day, indeed. We wish the new President of the United States Godspeed. He will need all her help.