The lineup is coming together of individuals who will participate in the Capitol Hill swearing-in ceremony, and the exclusive luncheon that follows, for the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on Monday, January 21. On the Capitol platform will be Myrlie Evers-Williams, the former head of the NAACP and the widow of Medgar Evers, to deliver the invocation, and Reverend Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, who will do the benediction.
“I am humbled to have been asked to deliver the invocation for the 57th inauguration of the President of the United States—especially in light of this historical time in America when we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the civil-rights movement,” Evers-Williams said in a statement released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. “It is indeed an exhilarating experience to have the distinct honor of representing that era.”
Senator Chuck Schumer, who oversees the Congressional responsibilities for the inauguration, has invited Reverend Luis Cortes to deliver the opening prayer at the Statuary Hall luncheon that follows the swearing-in. Cortes is the founder of Esperanza, which was described by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies as “the largest Hispanic faith-based evangelical network in the United States.” Cortes will be joined by a leader of the Greek Orthodox community, Archbishop Demetrios, who has been invited by Schumer to offer the benediction at the luncheon.
Earlier it was announced that Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to President Obama, as he did four years ago. Vice President Biden chose Justice Sonia Sotomayor to swear him in for a second term. The ceremonies begin at approximately 11 AM, and the President takes the oath at noon.







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