Leaders: A day to celebrate

Statewide leaders made the trip to Washington D.C. and sent their reactions back to Iowa during the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

"As an American and as governor, it is an honor to represent the great state of Iowa on this historic occasion. And as a former history teacher, it is a privilege to take part in an event that will make a difference to future generations," Gov. Chet Culver said.

"President Obama and Vice President Biden are putting the hopes and dreams of our nation front and center, as well as our concerns and anxieties. The focus they bring to a strong economy and good jobs is needed today as much as any time during our nation's history."

"The President and Vice President also know what is important to Iowa is important to the nation. From improving education and health care to rebuilding our infrastructure to leading us away from dependence on foreign oil and towards renewable energy, their agenda and vision is in the best interest of our state and our nation."

"A little more than one year ago, the first step toward this historic day began on a cold winter night in Iowa when hundreds of thousands of people came out to show their hope for a new and better direction for our nation. Today, with the inauguration of President Obama and Vice President Biden, that opportunity is upon us."

---

Iowa's representatives to the U.S. Senate also marked the occasion.

"I have attended many presidential inaugurations and I have heard many inaugural addresses, but I have never seen anything like we saw today in our nation's capital," U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said. "I thought President Obama's speech was uplifting, sobering, and hopeful. It was exactly what we want from a President - we want him to lift us up, to tell us the truth and to challenge us. I'm anxious to get to work with our new president to address the problems our nation is facing. We have many challenges ahead, but we also have many historic opportunities."

___

"Today's speech was really two parts equally divided between domestic and foreign policy," U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said. "I appreciate President Obama's focus on responsibility and accountability. In this time of great anxiety, it was an important message for all of America to hear. It will take a commitment to these two ideals to turn the country around. It also seemed to me that he indicated that he will finish what President Bush started in Iraq, which is promising for the fragile democracy for this country. And, he assured the rest of the world that the United States stands ready to lead the world through these tough times."