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Obama Inauguration |
APWU Members Celebrate Inauguration,
Culmination of 2008 Election Successes
APWU Web News Article #007-09, Jan. 21, 2009 | [photo gallery]
Several hundred APWU members from points far and wide gathered at a Washington hotel just a few blocks from the White House to celebrate the inauguration of Barrack Obama as the nation’s newest chief executive Jan 20.
“Thank you for joining us on this historic occasion to witness the inauguration of our nation's 44th president,” APWU President William Burrus said to a crowd of approximately 400 union members and their guests gathered at the Madison Hotel shortly before the swearing-in.
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Most of the union activists, who watched the ceremony on large-screen televisions, were from locals along the Eastern seaboard, but members from locals as far away as California, Texas, and Florida also attended, along with members of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
“You will be able to tell your children and grandchildren that you were there on January 20, 2009,” Burrus told the assembly at the hotel, “and that as APWU members you played an important role in this election.”
APWU members cheered whenever Obama appeared on screen, and hugged one another — some laughing and others crying — when he completed the oath of office. Many wore commemorative T-shirts, hats, and buttons.
“I don’t know that I have ever applauded something on a TV screen before,” said one APWU member taking part in the celebration, “but today I just couldn’t help myself.”
Hundreds of other APWU stalwarts were in the nation’s capital for the event as well, braving temperatures in the mid-20s as they viewed the official ceremony from the National Mall. Because of the large number of people in attendance — crowds were estimated at close to 2 million — many of those who watched outdoors viewed the events on giant-screen televisions erected on the site. Many others waited along the route from the Capitol to the White House to see the post-inaugural parade.
