Presentation of Inaugural Gifts

"Mr. President in your speech you talked about faith. You talked about tribulations, but you talked about victory. The Johnson Brothers wrote a great hymn.  You know it well, Mr. President. Today, we have a new day. That hymn came out of faith and out of deep trouble into hope. And they said, 'Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won.' That's what your speech was about. And that's why we are so proud and ready to march with you, President Biden. God bless." - U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, Gift Giving Ceremony, Joint Congressional Committee on The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr, Capitol Rotunda, January 20, 2021

 Congratulations President Biden and Vice President Harris on your win and a lovely ceremony under such trying conditions. On behalf of the Johnson family, we would like to thank you for using the stirring words of their Hymn as you received your gift. You must well remember that the entire song was used at President Obama's Inauguration. To know that the work of these two men still has meaning for so many is satisfying. They wrote, one could say a gift that keeps on giving. - Rufus Jones, James Weldon Johnson Foundation, Melanie Edwards John Rosamond Johnson Foundation

 The Johnson Brothers: James Weldon Johnson (1871 - 1938) authored the lyrics to Lift Every Voice and Sing, and his brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), set the words to music in January 1900 for a celebration of President Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 1900, and used throughout the country as the Black/African American “National Hymn.” The Johnson Brothers worked tirelessly for social justice and to expose the power of African American contributions to the intellectual and artistic life of America. #jamesweldonjohnson #bidenharris2020 #inauguration2021 #inauguration