Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Discusses What is Being Planned for the 2001 Inauguration
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: George W. Bush plans to be sworn into office using the same bible that his father used 12 years ago. There is more to the history of this bible. It is the same book used to swear in George Washington, Warren Harding, Dwight Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist will swear in George W. Bush as the 43rd president of the United States on January 20th. What else is being planned for the 2001 inauguration? We are going to get some clues from the executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Jeanne Johnson Phillips is joining us from Washington. Good to see you. Good morning.</s>JEANNE JOHNSON PHILLIPS, PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL COMM.: Thank you very much. It's nice to be here.</s>KAGAN: Is there going to be a theme to this inauguration?</s>PHILLIPS: Yes. Absolutely, this is the 54th presidential inauguration, and our theme is celebrating America's spirit together. So, you'll be seeing that throughout the inaugural week, which officially begins on Monday the 15th, but of course the celebration begins on Thursday the 17th.</s>KAGAN: And, as I understand it, you go way back with the Bushes. You know them quite well. You did the inauguration for the Bushes the last time he was sworn in as governor?</s>PHILLIPS: Yes, that is correct. The first time. I did not do the second one.</s>KAGAN: The first time. So what can you tell us about them and their style that will be reflected in this celebration?</s>PHILLIPS: Well, I think that people can expect everything to be as authentic as possible. It will be traditional. It will be a lot of fun. It's really geared for the mom and dad and their two kids who come to Washington, and want to learn about their nation's capital and learn about the tradition of our passage of power, and how peaceful and beautiful it is. It's really a very simple ceremony on Saturday, during the oath of office. So I think you will see things that are traditional, but also a lot of fun. We expect to have a lot of -- a variety of entertainment, something for everybody.</s>KAGAN: Tell us some of the entertainers who have signed on?</s>PHILLIPS: Well, you know, we'll be announcing them formally later this week. But if you like Van Morrison, you will probably enjoy the opening ceremonies. You will have a lot of athletes, including Muhammad Ali and Lance Armstrong and Marion Jones. We have got -- we have been in discussions with Ricky Martin. He wants to come, and we want him to come, and we are hoping that the logistics all work out for him to be here as well.</s>KAGAN: When I think Texas, and of course George W. Bush does pride himself on his Texas roots, I think big. So is there going to be a Texas...</s>PHILLIPS: That is a pretty accurate assessment of Texas. It is big. And we have a big heart. Texans like to have fun. They love their country. They love their state. And we are very proud of the fact that we have now three presidents from the great state of Texas. So I think big is something that you can count on in describing this inaugural.</s>KAGAN: We mentioned just a couple of minutes ago that George W. Bush will be using that same bible that his father used, and of course it has been some years since we Americans have had a father/son act to follow in the presidency. Any other influence that we will see from the older Bushes, from President Bush and Barbara Bush?</s>PHILLIPS: Well, you know, the Bushes are a great family, and they are very easy to work with, and it's wonderful to be a part of their team. I am very honored. I think you'll see a lot of events that are geared for American families. And that's really our hope, that all families can look at this as a day to be proud that we are Americans. That they can, you know, we have many stories as Americans that tell us who we are as a people, and those stories include all different kinds of people, from different parts of our country and different heritages. And so, we're looking forward to really bringing everyone together and really looking at where we are and where we're going, and we hope that everyone will join it. It's going to be a lot of fun. Many of our events are free, because we have a good underwriting program. So we're able to allow, you know, a lot of people to come at no cost. And we really hope that will encourage people to come out and be a part of things.</s>KAGAN: A big part of the inauguration is the balls. How many are there going to be?</s>PHILLIPS: We'll have eight balls, eight official balls. And that's a few less than we have had in the past. But they're in large venues so everyone should get excited about that. They should be very beautiful and wonderful evening.</s>KAGAN: Is there one that is considered the ball?</s>PHILLIPS: No.</s>KAGAN: That would be politically incorrect to pick one.</s>PHILLIPS: In fact, we consciously, we tried to make all of the balls very similar, so that there would not be, the ball. You know, in the beginning, we did have just one inaugurate ball. But now America has grown and we have a lot of people who want to participate. So they will all be pretty much the same.</s>KAGAN: And finally, I got to say, I mean, your job would be hard enough as it is, but given how the -- can you hear me still?</s>PHILLIPS: Yes, I can.</s>KAGAN: I was going to say -- I was going to give you a little sympathy, your job would be hard enough as it is in any given year, but given how the election worked out this year, talk about a time crunch. How are you getting it all done in time?</s>PHILLIPS: Well, first of all, I have about 400 very talented individuals who are working day and night, trying to make it happen. The city of Washington and the Congress and the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee and the General Services Administration and Park Service have all joined in to help us. And we really are just a lively group of optimists who believe it can all be done in 31 days. And so we are pressing hard.</s>KAGAN: Well, you keep up the good thoughts. Jeanne Johnson Phillips, good luck with all the inaugural activities. We will see you up there in Washington,</s>D.C. PHILLIPS: Thank you. I hope everyone will join us. Thanks for having me.</s>KAGAN: We will be.