| Inauguration Information | ||
| January 14, 2009 | ||
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On January 20th, 2009, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. If you plan on attending the Inauguration or visiting Washington for the historic event, you are encouraged to take a moment to review the information below to help plan your trip. Please feel free to stop by Congressman Marchant’s office at 227 Cannon House Office Building while you’re in Washington. Our staff stands ready to welcome and assist you. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the district or Washington offices of Congressman Marchant. Travel safe and enjoy the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The Office of Congressman Kenny Marchant Important Considerations • A security perimeter will be established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route on (or before) Jan. 20, 2009. Subway stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter will be closed; • Street closures throughout Washington, D.C. will make traveling by car or taxi very, very difficult; • There will be no street parking near the U.S. Capitol, and street parking in other areas of the city may be extremely limited; • D.C.’s subway system is expecting “crush-level” crowds. Be prepared to stand in close proximity to several thousand people for long periods of time; • Bridges from Virginia crossing the Potomac River into Washington, D.C. may be closed to all but bus traffic; • Major roadways from Maryland into Washington, D.C. may be closed to all but bus traffic; • The weather in Washington in January is usually quite cold and often rainy or snowy. Please think carefully about whether you can stand outside in cold weather in a large crowd for up to six hours, and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterwards; • Regardless of the weather conditions, umbrellas will not be permitted in the ticketed areas. There are many other prohibited items in the ticketed areas including baby strollers, backpacks, thermoses, etc. See prohibited items for a complete list; • Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events; • Be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures from your cell phone, according to wireless companies. Please use text messaging to send critical messages. Accessibility See the Accessibility web page. http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/accessibility.cfm Tickets Each person must have a ticket to attend the Inauguration. Due to the extraordinary demand of ticket requests, my office unfortunately could not fulfill every request. If you have already been notified that you are to receive a ticket, you must come by my Washington office and pick up your tickets at 227 Cannon House Office Building no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2009. If you fail to pick up your ticket by the deadline, your ticket will be given to the next person on the waiting list. Our office received thousands of requests and we will do our best to accommodate constituents from District 24; however, we have a very limited number of tickets to distribute to the Swearing-In Ceremony. There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol Grounds; however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis. Individuals without valid tickets will not be admitted. Tickets are color-coded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony. Entrance will be granted only at the gate indicated on your ticket. Expect heavy traffic, delays, and significant road closures. Inside the Event Staff of the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services will be stationed at all designated accessible seating/standing areas to provide assistance. Designated seating and standing areas: • North Seating Area - Senate Side Movement will be difficult inside the security perimeter. Please be prepared to stay within the perimeter and within your ticketed section for the duration of the festivities. Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather). What to Wear There is no official dress code for the swearing-in ceremonies. It is typically cold on Inauguration Day—normally 37°F—and often wet. Expect to be outside for more than three hours, to stand in line, and to walk for long periods of time. Dress in layers and wear a winter coat. Consider wearing comfortable shoes, gloves, a hat and a scarf, and bringing a blanket. In the event of rain, umbrellas will not be permitted within the security perimeter. It is recommended that attendees bring ponchos or rain coats. Weather The Swearing-in Ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet. Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours. Attendees should check the local weather forecast for Inauguration Day and plan accordingly. In the event of rain, umbrellas will not be permitted within the security perimeter. It is recommended that attendees bring ponchos or rain coats. Discover more about Inauguration Day weather at the National Weather Service’s Presidential Inaugural Weather website. Children There are no childcare facilities provided to attendees. Due to increased security and space constraints, strollers are not permitted on the Capitol grounds. Direct questions regarding the admittance of items required for child care to the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226. The Swearing-in Ceremony is a outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet. Elderly The Swearing-in Ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet. Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours. Medical Conditions and Medications Emergency Medical Teams are on-hand in the event of any medical emergencies. Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events. For additional information about permitted items for medical purposes (e.g. insulin), contact the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226. Restrooms Outdoor, portable restrooms are located throughout the U.S. Capitol grounds. Security All ticket holders are required to pass through security screening, including handbag inspection. Food and Drink Food, beverages, and other amenities are not available within the ceremony perimeter. Do not bring any food item larger than a small snack. Thermoses are prohibited. Cell Phones & Cellular Service Cellular phones are permitted on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Turn phones off or set to vibrate before the program begins. Be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures from your cell phone, according to wireless companies. Please use text messaging to send critical messages. Cameras Cameras are permitted on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Tripods and camera bags, however, are prohibited. Traffic Large crowds are expected for the Swearing-in ceremonies, the Inaugural parade, and other festivities. Expect heavy traffic and road closings. Visit the Getting to the Swearing-In Ceremony page for detailed information on the best way to get to the Ceremony. Expect heavy traffic, delays, and significant road closures. Parking, Metro, and other Transportation No parking will be available on Capitol Hill. Public parking in Washington, D.C. will be extremely limited. If you are traveling by car from outside the city, visit the Getting to the Swearing-In Ceremony page for detailed information on the best way to get to the Ceremony. Expect heavy traffic, delays, and significant road closures. Prohibited Items Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: • Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated) Mobility Aids such as canes, including those with a fold-down seat, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters are allowed. Security Contacts US Capitol Police 202-224-0908 Washington, DC Police 202-727-4383 Useful Web Sites • DDOT - www.Gettingthere.dc.gov ### |