[MUSIC]
>> GOOD MORNING.
AND WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC
MEDIA'S COVERAGE OF THE 22019
INAUGURATION CEREMONY.
WE'RE COMING HIVE FROM ROTONDA.
I'M SHAWN JOHNSON AND I'M
FREDERICA FREYBERG.
>> OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICIALS
WILL BE SWORN INTO OFFICE.
>> AUSTIN EVANS WILL BECOME THE
GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN DEFEATING
SCOTT WALKER LAST NOVEMBER.
>> THE TEAMS SELECTED THE
MILWAUKEE STRING PROGRAM TO GET
THIS CEREMONY STARTED.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE
GROUND FLOOR FOR A PERFORMANCE
BY THE LATINO ARTS STRINGS
PROGRAM.
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
BAILAR LA BAMBA SE NECESSITA UNA
POCA DE GRACIA UNA POCA DE
GRACIA PARA MI, PARA TI, AY
ARRIBA, AY ARRIBA PARA BAILAR LA
BAMBA PARA BAILAR LA BAMBA SE
NECESSITA UNA POCA DE GRACIA UNA
POCA DE GRACIA PARA MI, PARA TI,
AY ARRIBA, AY ARRIBA AY, ARRIBA
ARRIBA POR TI SERE, POR TI SERE,
POR TI SERE BAMBA, BAMBA BAMBA,
BAMBA BAMBA, BAMBA [MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE
SECOND FLOOR WEST GALLERY FOR A
PERFORMANCE BY THE EAU CLAIRE
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL MADRIGAL
SINGERS.
* AND I LOVE HER SO
* I WOULDN'T TRADE HER FOR GOLD
* I'M WALKING ON MOON BEAMS
* AND STARING OUT TO SEA
* AND I WAS BORN WITH A SILVER
SPOON *
* AND I'M GOING TO BE ME
* I'M GOING TO BE FREE
* I'M WALKING ON MOON BEAMS
* AND STARING OUT TO SEA
* AND IF THE DOOR BE CLOSED
* THEN A ROW OF HOMES START
BUILDING *
* AND TEAR YOUR CURTAINS DOWN
* FOR SUNLIGHT IS LIKE GOLD
* AND YOU BETTER BE YOU
* AND DO WHAT YOU CAN DO
* WHEN YOU'RE WALKING ON MOON
BEAMS *
* STARING OUT TO SEA
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
* OH SLEIGH SLEIGH BELLS RING
ARE YOU LISTENING, IN THE LANE
SNOW IS GLISTENING, A BEAUTIFUL
SIGHT
SIGHT, WE'RE HAPPY TONIGHT *
* WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
*
* GONE AWAY IS THE BLUE BIRD
HERE TO STAY IS A NEW BIRD END
END
* HE SING AS LOVE SONG, AS WE GO
ALONG *
* WALKING IN A WINTER WONDER
LAND *
* IN THE MEADOW WE CAN BUILD A
SNOWMAN, WE'LL PRETEND THAT HE
IS PARSON BROWN *
* HE'LL SAY, ARE YOU MARRIED
* WE'LL SAY NO MAN BUT YOU CAN
DO THE JOB WHILE YOU'RE IN TOWN
*
* LATER ON WE'LL CONSPIRE AS WE
DREAM BY THE FIRE TO FACE
UNAFRAID THE PLANS THAT WE'VE
MADE *
* WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
[APPLAUSE]
* SOFTLY FALLS THE WINTER SNOW
* WHISPERS TO THE SLEEPING WORLD
BELOW *
* WINTER TIED AWAKES
* MORNING BREAKS AND SETS THE
EARTH A GLO *
* IN GENTLE TONES OF WARMEST
WHITE *
* PROCLAIM THE GLORY OF AURORA'S
LIGHT *
* SPARROW WINGS IN A CLEAR CLEAN
VOICE *
* A SWEET, SILVER CAROL FOR THE
SEASON BORN *
* RADIANT WINGS AS THE SKIES
REJOICE *
* ARISE AND ILLUMINATE THE MORN
* SOFTLY FALLS THE WINTER SNOW
* WHISPERS TO THE SLEEPING WORLD
BELOW *
* GLO, LIKE THE SOFTLY FALLING
SNOW *W, LIKE THE SOFTLY FALLIN
SNOW *
* GLOW
* LIKE THE SOFTLY FALLING SNOW
* GLOW
[APPLAUSE]
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE
GROUND FLOOR FOR A PERFORMANCE
BY THE TOMAH HIGH SCHOOL WIND
ENSEMBLE
ENSEMBLE.
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE
SECOND FLOOR OF THE WEST GALLEY
FOR A PERFORMANCE BY THE WILLIAM
J. REED COMMUNITY CHOIR.
* GREAT GOD, GREAT VISION, GREAT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS *
* GREAT GOD, GREAT VISION, GREAT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS *
* HE REIGNETH WITH WISDOM AND
POWER *
* HEETH WITH WISDOM AND POWER
* ALL ACROSS THE NATION, ALL
ACROSS CREATION *
* GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD
* GREAT GOD, GREAT GOD, GREAT
VISION, GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS *
* GREAT GOD, GREAT VISION, GREAT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS *
* HE REIGNETH WITH WISDOM AND
POWER *
* HE REIGNETH WITH WISDOM AND
POWER *
* ALL ACROSS THE NATION
* ALL ACROSS CREATION GREAT IS
THE LORD OUR GOD *
* GREAT GOD, GREAT GOD, GREAT
GOD, HE IS A GREAT GOD, GREAT
GOD *
* GREAT GOD AND HE REIGNS
FOREVER, HE'S ALPHA AND OMEGA
AND THE BEGINNING AND THE
ENDING, AND HE REIGNS FOREVER *
* GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD
* HE REIGNETH, HE REIGNETH, YES,
HE REIGNETH *
* HE REIGNS FOREVER
* GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD
* GREAT, GREAT GOD
* HE REIGNETH FOREVER, GREAT IS
THE LORD OUR GOD *
* HE'S ALPHA, AND OMEGA, THE
BEGINNING AND THE ENDING AND HE
REIGNS FOREVER *
* GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD
* HE'S ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE
BEGINNING AND THE ENDING, AND HE
REIGNS FOREVER *
* GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD
* OUR GOD IS GREATER, OUR GOD IS
STRONGER *
* LORD YOU ARE HIGHER THAN ANY
OTHER *
* OUR GOD IS HEALER
* AWESOME IN POWER, OUR GOD, OUR
GOD *
* OUR GOD IS GREATER
* OUR GOD IS STRONGER
* LORD YOU ARE HIGHER THAN ANY
OTHER END END
* OUR GOD IS HEALER
* AWESOME IN POWER, OUR GOD, OUR
GOD *
* AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US, THEN
WHO COULD EVER STOP US *
* AND IF OUR GOD IS WITH US,
THEN WHAT CAN STAND AGAINST US *
* IF OUR GOD IS FOR US THEN WHO
COULD EVER STOP US *
* AND IF OUR GOD IS WITH US,
WHAT CAN STAND AGAINST *
* WHAT CAN STAND AGAINST
* IF HE SAID IT, HE WILL DO IT
* IF HE SAID IT, HE WILL DO IT,
IF HE SAID IT, HE WILL DO IT *
* OUR GOD IS GREAT
* IF HE SAYS HE WILL DO IT
* IT WILL COME TO PASS
* OUR LORD IS GREAT
* IF HE SAYS HE WILL DO IT
* IT WILL COME TO PASS
* GREAT IS THE LORD
* GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD
* OUR GOD
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
* EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN I
SEEK HIS FACE *
* ALWAYS WATCHING ME
* HE'S OUR HOPE EVEN IN THE
MIDNIGHT HOUR *
* OUR GOD'S RISEN POWER
* HE'S OUR HOPE, OUR GOD, OUR
GOD WE KNOW THAT HE'S OUR HOPE *
* HE'S OUR HOPE, HE'S OUR HOPE
* HE'S OUR HOPE EVEN IN THE
MIDNIGHT HOUR *
* HE'S OUR HOPE, OUR GOD IS
RISEN POWER, HE IS OUR HOPE *
* OUR GOD, OUR GOD WE KNOW THAT
HE'S OUR HOPE, HE'S OUR HOPE,
HE'S OUR HOPE *
* HE'S OUR HOPE
* EVEN IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
* HE'S OUR HOPE
* OUR GOD IS THE RISEN POWER,
HE'S OUR HOPE, OUR GOD, OUR GOD
WE KNOW THAT HE'S OUR HOPE, HE'S
OUR HOPE *
* OH HAPPY DAY
* WHEN JESUS WALKED
* WHEN JESUS WASHED
* WHEN JESUS WASHED MY SINS
AWAY, OH HAPPY DAY *
* OH HAPPY DAY
* WHEN JESUS WASHED
* WHEN JESUS WASHED MY SINS
AWAY, OH HAPPY DAY *
* OH HAPPY DAY
* HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO WATCH
* FIGHT AND PRAY
* FIGHT AND PRAY AND HE TAUGHT
ME HOW TO LIVE *
* AND LIVE REJOICING EVERY DAY
* EVERY DAY
* OH HAPPY DAY
* WHEN JESUS WASHED
* HE WASHED MY SINS AWAY
* OH HAPPY DAY
* HE TAUGHT ME HOW
* HOW TO FIGHT AND PRAY AND LIVE
REJOICING *
* EVERY DAY
* OH HAPPY DAY
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS
I CAN'T HEAR YOU I SAID GOOD
AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
MAY NAME IS
NICK ROBINSON, AND I AM HONORED
TO BE THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES
FOR TODAY'S INAUGURAL CEREMONY.
I AM PROUD TO WELCOME YOU TO THE
WISCONSIN STATE CAPITOL, WHERE
WE WILL SWEAR IN FIVE
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN INCLUDING
WISCONSIN'S 46TH GOVERNOR, TONY
EVERS.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW, PLEASE RISE AS THE NATIONAL
AND STATE COLORS ARE PRESENTED,
AND THEN REMAIN STANDING FOR OUR
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> OUR COLOR GUARD IS COMPRISED
OF MEMBERS OF THE WISCONSIN ARMY
AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD,
ACCOMPANIED BY THE 132ND ARY
BAND OF THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL
GUARD. APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MEN
AND WOMEN, SOLDIERS & AIRMEN
MAKE UP OUR WISCONSIN NATIONAL
GUARD. THEY PROUDLY HAIL FROM
RHINELANDER TO KENOSHA AND FROM
PLATTEVILLE TO SUPERIOR -
SERVING WISCONSIN AND AMERICA.
OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE
PERFORMED BY DR. JONOTHON
OVERBY. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING,
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE
LED BY STUDENTS FROM GSAFE.
* O SAY CAN YOU SEE
* BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT
* WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT
THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING *
* WHO'S BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT
STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT
* O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED
WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING?
* AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE
* THE BOMB BURSTING IN AIR
* GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT
THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE *
* O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED
BANNER YET WAVE *
* O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE
* AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE
[APPLAUSE]
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, TO THE
FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH
IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
>> THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS
FROM GSAFE FOR LEADING US IN THE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE BE
SEATED.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK
THE PRE-CEREMONY PERFORMERS FOR
THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO TODAY'S
INAUGURAL CEREMONY. THESE
DID AN AMAZING JOB.
LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
THESE
PERFORMERS INCLUDE THE TOMAH
HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE, THE
EAU CLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL
[APPLAUSE]
MAD-RI-GAL SINGERS,
THE WILLIAM J. REED COMMUNITY
CHOIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE LATINO
ARTS STRING PROGRAM.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD'S 132ND
[APPLAUSE]
ARMY BAND.
A WISCONSIN GUARD BAND HAS
PARTICIPATED IN EVERY WISCONSIN
INAUGURAL CEREMONY. THEY ARE
CHERISHED BY THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN, AND WE ARE THANKFUL
FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION YET
AGAIN IN THIS HISTORIC EVENT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> TODAY'S INAUGURATION IS BEING
BROADCAST LIVE ON WISCONSIN
PUBLIC TELEVISION AND WISCONSIN
PUBLIC RADIO. WE ARE ALSO JOINED
BY CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE WHO
ARE WATCHING THE CEREMONY VIA
LIVE STREAM ON THE INTERNET.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED
IN THE BROADCAST AND WEBCAST FOR
MAKING THIS CEREMONY ACCESSIBLE
TO EVERY RESIDENT IN WISCONSIN.
APPRECIATE THAT FOR SURE.
[APPLAUSE]
I LIKE THAT YOU ARE CLAPPERS.
THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME.
THE INVOCATION WILL NOW BE GIVEN
THIS AFTERNOON BY REVEREND
WILLIE BRISCO FROM WISDOM
WISCONSIN.
PLEASE WELCOME REVEREND WILLIE
BRISCO.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MAY WE ALL BOW OUR HEADS?
GOD, OUR FATHER, WE THANK YOU
FOR THE GRACE AND MERCY TOWARDS
US.
WE THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO
BE IN THIS SPACE TODAY ON THIS
HISTORIC OCCASION.
TO SWEAR INTO OFFICE AN
GOVERNMENT TONY EVERS AS
WISCONSIN'S 46TH GOVERNOR AND
MANDELA BARNES AS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR.
I ASK YOU INVOKE YOUR RICHEST
BLESSINGS ON HIM AND HIS
ADMINISTRATION AS HE ASSUMES THE
MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP OF THIS
STATE.
HELP HIM TO BE STRONG AND OF
GOOD COURAGE AS HE ADVOCATE FOR
US STRONG AND DIVERSE PEOPLE.
BLESS HIM WITH A BEHIND OF
WISDOM, HEART OF LOVE AND THE
SPIRIT OF UNITY.
AND LET US NOT GET WEARY IN
WELL-DOING.
WE TOO HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN
THE SUCCESS OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
OUR CHILDREN NEED QUALITY
EDUCATION, OUR NEIGHBORS NEED
GOOD JOBS AND OUR FRIENDS AND
RELATIVES NEED GOOD HEALTHCARE
AND OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
IS IN NEED OF REFORM.
AND MOST OF ALL WE MUST STRIVE
FOR INCLUSION OF ALL GOD'S
PEOPLE.
GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO STAND
WITH OUR LEADERS, THE COURAGE TO
ENCOURAGE THEM AND CONTINUE TO
PRAY FOR THEM BECAUSE WE KNOW
THAT THIS JOURNEY IS NOT EASY.
AND WE MUST, THOSE THAT WAIT ON
THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR
STRENGTH AND MOUNT UP WITH WINGS
LIKE EAGLES AND NOT BE WEARY AND
WALK AND NOT FAINT.
AMEN TO THIS AND EVERYONE WHO
AGREES AND A TOUCH AND AGREE SAY
AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND BRISCO.
IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO
INTRODUCE AND WELCOME FIVE
FORMER GOVERNORS OF THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN WHO WE ARE HONORED TO
HAVE WITH US TODAY.
GOVERNOR MARTIN SCHREIBER
[APPLAUSE]
GOVERNOR TOMMY THOMPSON GOVERNOR
GOVERNOR SCOTT MCCALLUM
GOVERNOR JIM DOYLE
AND GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR
YOUR SERVICE TO THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO RECOGNIZE
FOUR PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ARE
LEAVING OFFICE TODAY.
MATT ADAMCZYK HAS SERVED
WISCONSIN AS STATE TREASURER
SINCE JANUARY 2015.
BRAD SCHIMEL HAS SERVED
WISCONSIN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
SINCE JANUARY 2015.
REBECCA KLEEFISCH HAS SERVED
WISCONSIN AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
SINCE JANUARY 2011.
AND SCOTT WALKER WHO HAS SERVED
WISCONSIN AS GOVERNOR SINCE
JANUARY 2011.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO
WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WISCONSIN'S SIXTH
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER IS THE
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION. PLEASE JOIN ME IN
RECOGNIZING OUR NEXT STATE
SUPERINTENDENT, CAROLYN STANFORD
TAYLOR.
[APPLAUSE]
>> IT IS MY PLEASURE TO
RECOGNIZE AND INTRODUCE THE
JUSTICES OF THE WISCONSIN
SUPREME COURT WHO ARE WITH US
TODAY:
CHIEF JUSTICE PATIENCE D.
ROGGENSACK
JUSTICE SHIRLEY S. ABRAHAMSON
JUSTICE ANN WALSH BRADLEY
JUSTICE ANNETTE ZEEGLER
JUSTICE REBECCA BRADLEY
JUSTICE DANIEL KELLY
AND JUSTICE REBECCA DALLET
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO
OUR COURTS AND TO OUR STATE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEW LEADERS OF THE
WISCONSIN STATE LEGISLATURE ARE
ALSO HERE WITH US TODAY.
FROM THE STATE SENATE, WE ARE
PLEASED TO HAVE MAJORITY LEADER
SCOTT FITZGERALD AND MINORITY
LEADER JENNIFER SCHILLING.
FROM THE STATE ASSEMBLY, WE ARE
JOINED BY SPEAKER ROBIN VAS,
MAJORITY LEADER JIM STEINEKE AND
MINORITY LEADER GORDON HINTZ.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU FOR TAKING PART IN
THIS CEREMONY TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THOSE HERE TODAY WHOM I
HAVE NOT HAD THE PLEASURE OF
MEETING, I AM NICK ROBINSON.
THERE'S A LOT OF NICK ROBINSON
IN THE WORLD.
GOOGLE IT.
PF
I AM A MILWAUKEE ENTREPRENEUR
AND CO-CREATOR OF A BUSINESS
CALLED DREAM BUILDERS. OUR GOAL
IS TO GROW AN UNDERSTANDING OF
ARCHITECTURE WITHIN
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AND
TO SERVE THOSE WHO ARE OFTEN
OVERLOOKED. I AM ALSO AN ALUMNI
OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF
METRO MILWAUKEE,
[APPLAUSE]
WHERE I SERVED AS A BIG. BBBS
PROVIDED ME THE UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY TIME,
THOUGHTS, GIFTS AND TALENTS WITH
ANTOWON, A YOUNG PERSON WHO I
NOW CALL MY LITTLE BROTHER --
ALTHOUGH HE IS NOW TALLER THAN
ME. WHEN WE MET, ANTOWON WAS
EIGHT. I WAS 18. UPON SIGNING
UP, I COULD NOT FATHOM HOW
BENEFICIAL THE EXPERIENCE WOULD
BE FOR BOTH OF US. ANTOWON
TAUGHT ME THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED COOL OR KNOW
ANYTHING SPECIAL TO DEEPLY
IMPACT A LIFE. ANTOWON ONLY
NEEDED MY TIME. IN ALL HONESTY,
SOMETIMES IT WAS CHALLENGING -
LIKE TEACHING ANTOWON NOT TO
GRAB THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I
WAS DRIVING, OR DISCUSSING
EMOTIONS WITH A 10-YEAR-OLD, AND
TALKING ABOUT NATURE -- BIRDS,
BEES, STORKS AND SO ON.
ULTIMATELY, THESE EXPERIENCES
HELPED PREPARE ME FOR
FATHERHOOD, INCREASED MY
PATIENCE, TAUGHT ME HOW TO REACH
SOMEONE THAT MAY NOT WANT TO BE
REACHED AT THE MOMENT,
HEIGHTENED MY AWARENESS OF THE
LYRICS IN SONGS, AND GAVE ME THE
EXCUSE TO PLAY LIKE A KID AGAIN.
FOR THESE, I THANK ANTOWON'S
MOTHER, ROBIN, FOR REACHING OUT;
ANTOWON FOR BEING THE BEST
LITTLE A BIG CAN HAVE; AND BBBS
FOR BEING A FACILITATOR OF HOPE
AND SUPPORT.
EVERY KID DESERVES THAT KIND OF
HOPE AND SUPPORT. THAT'S WHY
TONY EVERS WILL MAKE A GREAT
GOVERNOR-HE UNDERSTANDS THAT
[APPLAUSE]
ABSOLUTELY.
HE UNDERSTANDS THAT
WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS IS BEST
FOR WISCONSIN, AND HE WILL WORK
EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE OUR STATE
IS A PLACE WHERE EVERY KID CAN
THRIVE.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW IS THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN
WAITING FOR.
>> IT IS NOW TIME TO INAUGURATE
THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF
WISCONSIN WHO HAVE BEEN PROPERLY
AND LEGALLY CHOSEN FOR THEIR
OFFICES.
CHIEF JUSTICE PATIENCE
ROGGENSACK WILL NOW ADMINISTER
THE OATHS OF OFFICE.
>> MADAME CHIEF JUSTICE, I HAVE
FROM MY COLLEAGUES HERE WITH ME
TODAY WE'RE PLEASED TO BRING THE
GREETINGS OF WISCONSIN'S
JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO YOU ALL.
WE WISH YOU THE VERY BEST
FORTUNE AS WE NOW SWEAR IN FIVE
NEW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.
IT IS MY PLEASURE AND THE
PRESENTATION.
WE NOW BEGIN WITH STATE
TREASURER.
>> STATE TREASURER HAVING BEEN
ELECTED ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE
THE OATH OF OFFICE?
>> I AM.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND
REPEAT AFTER ME.
THE HONOR OF PRESENTING THE
HONORABLE SARAH GODLEWSKI, WHO
HAS BEEN ELECTED TO THE OFFICE
OF WISCONSIN STATE TREASURER AND
WHO NOW WISHES TO TAKE THE OATH
OF OFFICE.
>> I, SARAH GODLEWSKI, SWEAR
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND WILL
FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY
DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE
OF STATE TREASURER.
OFFICE OF TO THE BEST OF MY
ABILITY SO HELP ME GOD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, STATE
TREASURER GODLEWSKI.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HELLO, WISCONSIN!
I WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY, AND
ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
AS A FIFTH GENERATION
WISCONSINITE, IT IS HUMBLING TO
STAND HERE AS YOUR STATE
TREASURER. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE
WE NEARLY LOST THIS
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE, BUT
TOGETHER WE MADE OUR VOICES
HEARD:
[APPLAUSE]
WE DESERVE A STATE TREASURER
THAT SERVES AS OUR FISCAL
WATCHDOG. WE DEMAND GOOD
GOVERNMENT -- REGARDLESS OF
WHERE YOU LIVE, HOW MUCH YOU
EARN, OR EVEN WHO YOU VOTED FOR.
[APPLAUSE]
SO TODAY, WE TURN THE PAGE ON
THE NEGLECT OF THIS OFFICE.
TODAY, WE BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER.
I AM READY TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES
AND FULFILL THE MANY DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS OFFICE.
THROUGHOUT OUR STATE'S HISTORY,
WE'VE SHOWN THE NATION HOW GOOD
GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE A POSITIVE
DIFFERENCE IN OUR EVERYDAY
LIVES. AND TODAY, I PROMISE TO
CONTINUE THAT LEGACY.
IN WISCONSIN, OUR MOTTO IS
FORWARD. NOW, WE MUST MOVE THIS
OFFICE FORWARD. WE NEED TO
ACHIEVE A NEW LEVEL OF
ACCOUNTABILITY AND A NEW LEVEL
OF TRANSPARENCY. WE ALSO NEED TO
INVEST WISELY IN OUR STATE'S
FUTURE. BECAUSE ECONOMIC
SECURITY AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY
WILL MOVE WISCONSIN FORWARD.
BUT TO DO SO, IT IS ESSENTIAL WE
TAKE THESE STEPS TOGETHER - NOT
AS DEMOCRATS OR AS REPUBLICANS,
BUT AS WISCONSINITES AFTER ALL,
[APPLAUSE]
AFTER ALL
OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE NOT BLUE OR
RED, THEY ARE GREEN AND GOLD.
I PLEDGE TO YOU THAT I WILL LEAD
THIS OFFICE TO BENEFIT AND
PROTECT ALL OF US, REGARDLESS OF
PARTY. AS GOVERNOR GAYLORD
NELSON SAID TO THE CITIZENS OF
WISCONSIN, "WHEN YOU BELIEVE WE
ARE RIGHT, SUPPORT US; WHEN YOU
BELIEVE WE ARE WRONG, OPPOSE US;
BUT LET US ALL HAVE A FREE AND
OPEN DISCUSSION OF OUR PROBLEMS
SO THAT WE CAN WORK TOWARD AN
HONEST ADJUSTMENT OF DIFFERENCES
WITHOUT SACRIFICE OF
PRINCIPLES."
[APPLAUSE]
OUR STATE HAS KNOWN
EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC SERVANTS
LIKE GOVERNOR NELSON. MANY OF US
LEARNED THE VALUE OF SERVICE
FROM OUR OWN FAMILY- AND I'M NO
DIFFERENT. MY GRANDMA, WHO WAS
PART OF THE FIRST GROUP OF WOMEN
TO SERVE DURING WORLD WAR II,
WAS MY ROLE MODEL FOR SELFLESS
SERVICE. THROUGH HER COURAGEOUS
COMMITMENT TO OUR COUNTRY AND
HER BELIEF IN HER FELLOW
SERVICEMEMBERS, SHE SHOWED ME
THAT TOGETHER, CHANGE IS
POSSIBLE. I LOOK FORWARD TO
UPHOLDING THE SAME LEVEL OF
COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AS
YOUR STATE TREASURER. BECAUSE AT
THE END OF THE DAY, GOOD
GOVERNMENT IS A VALUE WE ALL
SHARE. AND, WISCONSINITES
DESERVE NOTHING LESS.
THANK YOU.
>> MADAME CHIEF JUSTICE, I HAVE
THE HONOR OF PRESENTING THE
HONORABLE DOUGLAS LAFOLLETTE,
WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED TO THE
OFFICE OF WISCONSIN SECRETARY OF
STATE AND WHO NOW WISHES TO TAKE
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SECRETARY OF STATE HAVING
BEEN DULY ELECTED ARE YOU NOW
PREPARED TO TAKE THE OATH?
>> I AM.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND
AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> I, DOUG LAFOLLETTE, SWEAR
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND WILL
FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY
DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE TO
THE BEST OF MY ABILITY SO HELP
ME GOD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, SECRETARY OF
STATE LAFOLLETTE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE
MILLION PLUS PEOPLE WHO VOTED
FOR ME.
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND
PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN FOR THESE MANY YEARS.
AS THE ONLY STATEWIDE ELECTED
DEMOCRAT, IT HAS BEEN VERY
LONELY THESE PAST 8 YEARS.
TODAY IT FEELS GREAT TO WELCOME
MY COLLEAGUES TO OUR GREAT
CAPITOL BUILDING.
I WISH EVERYONE A VERY GOOD NEW
YEAR AND HOPE THE LEGISLATURE
WILL ALLOW US TO ACCOMPLISH SOME
IMPORTANT THINGS CONCERNING THE
ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION AND
HEALTHCARE.
WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN RESTORE
OUR STATE'S GREAT PROGRESSIVE
TRADITION.
AGAIN I THANK YOU ALL AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING FOR YOU
THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
IN WISCONSIN OUR MOTTO IS
FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MADAME CHIEF JUSTICE, I HAVE
THE HONOR OF PRESENTING THE
HONORABLE JOSH KAUL, WHO HAS
BEEN ELECTED TO THE OFFICE OF
WISCONSIN ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
WHO NOW WISHES TO TAKE THE OATH
OF OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> ATTORNEY GENERAL HAVING BEEN
DULY ELECTED ARE YOU PREPARED TO
TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?
>> I AM.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND
AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> I, JOSHUA KAUL, SWEAR THAT I
WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES AND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN AND WILL FAITHFULLY
AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE
DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY
GENERAL TO THE BEST OF MY
ABILITY SO HELP ME GOD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, ATTORNEY
GENERAL KAUL.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO MY
FAMILY, TO EVERYBODY WATCHING
TODAY'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY,
AND TO MY FELLOW WISCONSINITES.
TODAY'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY
TAKES PLACE IN ATYPICAL
CIRCUMSTANCES. LAST MONTH, THE
POWERS OF TWO OF OUR STATE
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES WERE
DIMINISHED. THOSE CHANGES WERE
MADE AFTER ELECTIONS FOR THOSE
OFFICES, BUT BEFORE THE
TRANSITION OF POWER, HAD TAKEN
PLACE.
THAT ACTION, UNPRECEDENTED IN
WISCONSIN, WILL MAKE IT MORE
DIFFICULT TO DO THE JOBS THAT WE
WERE ELECTED TO DO.
BUT IT WILL NOT STOP US FROM
BRINGING A CHANGE OF PRIORITIES
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
THEY ARE CHANGING.
THE PRIORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE ARE CHANGING.
[APPLAUSE]
AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WE
WILL REVITALIZE OUR COMMITMENT
TO JUSTICE FOR ALL
WISCONSINITES.
WE WILL LEAD ON PUBLIC-SAFETY
ISSUES. WE'LL REJUVENATE THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNIT
AND BOLSTER OUR
CONSUMER-PROTECTION EFFORTS.
AND, WHEN WE NEED TO DO SO TO
PROTECT WISCONSINITES, WE WILL
STAND UP AGAINST THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
WE WILL WORK TO MAKE OUR
COMMUNITIES STRONGER.
NOW, WE WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT,
REAL DIFFERENCES OF OPINION
ABOUT HOW WE SHOULD ADDRESS SOME
OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE.
THAT'S DEMOCRACY.
WE CAN AND SHOULD DEBATE THE
MEANING OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION AND OUR STATE
CONSTITUTION. WE CAN AND WE
SHOULD DEBATE ALL KINDS OF
POLICY ISSUES.
AND I'M SURE WE WILL.
[APPLAUSE]
BUT LET'S ALSO TAKE THE
OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY THIS
MOMENT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY-AN
INAUGURATION THAT'S TAKING PLACE
IN THE WAKE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY
SESSION THAT WAS A CLEAR
DEPARTURE FROM THE NORM-TO
REMEMBER THAT ADHERING TO OUR
FUNDAMENTAL VALUES MUST TAKE
PRECEDENCE OVER WINNING THE
DEBATE OF THE DAY.
WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE OUR GROWING
OPIOID PROBLEM.
WE NEED TO HELP PREVENT THERE
FROM BEING ANOTHER BACKLOG OF
UNTESTED RAPE KITS IN WISCONSIN.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS THE
RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO OPERATE
EFFECTIVELY ACROSS THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
SAFER.
IN THE LAST FULL SCHOOL YEAR.
2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR MORE THAN
4,000,000 STUDENTS WENT THROUGH
LOCK DOWNS.
FOUR MILLION STUDENTS.
AND WHILE I APPLAUD THE PASSAGE
OF FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SAFETY
LAST YEAR, I AM ALSO CALLING FOR
MORE ACTION.
I AM CALLING FOR A RED FLAG LAW
THAT WILL ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT
OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO GO TO A
JUDGE AND ENSURE THAT SOMEBODY
THAT IS A THREAT TO THEMSELVES
OR OTHERS IS TEMPORARY DISARMED.
I AM CALLING FOR UNIVERSAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR FIREARM
PURCHASES.
[APPLAUSE]
AND I AM CALLING FOR LONG-TERM
FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH
PROGRAMS IN OUR SCHOOLS.
WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON THESE
ISSUES.
NO MATTER OUR PARTY OR WHICH
PART OF THE STATE WE COME FROM.
SO LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND LET'S
MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR STATE
AND OUR FUTURE SAFER.
THANK YOU ALL FOR MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE?
I HAV
HONORABLE MANDELA BARNES, WHO
HAS BEEN ELECTED TO THE OFFICE
OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF
WISCONSIN AND WHO NOW WISHES TO
TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HAVING
BEEN DULY ELECTED ARE YOU
PREPARED TO TAKE THE OATH?
>> I AM.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND
AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> I, MANDELA BARNES, SWEAR THAT
I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN AND WILL FAITHFULLY
AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE
DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO THE BEST
OF MY ABILITY SO HELP ME GOD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR BARNES.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU TO MY
>> FRIENDS, FAMILY, FORMER
COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE,
AND ALL FELLOW WISCONSINITES -
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
IT IS WITH A MOST SOLEMN PRIDE
THAT I STAND BEFORE YOU. I AM
TRULY HUMBLED BY THIS HONOR - TO
BE HERE WITH YOU ON THIS
OCCASION, TO EMBARK ON THE WORK
TO GIVE BACK TO A STATE THAT HAS
GIVEN ME SO MUCH,
[APPLAUSE]
TO NOT JUST TAKE AN OATH OF
OFFICE, BUT MAKE AN OATH OF
DEDICATION TO ALL WHO CALL THIS
PLACE HOME.
[APPLAUSE]
THERE ARE SO MANY WHOSE
COMMITMENT AND SACRIFICE MADE
THIS MOMENT POSSIBLE. PEOPLE
LIKE VEL PHILLIPS, MY FRIEND,
[APPLAUSE]
WHO STOOD HERE EXACTLY FORTY
YEARS AGO AS THE FIRST AND UNTIL
NOW, THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN
ELECTED TO STATEWIDE OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
THE GRAVITY OF THIS MOMENT IS
NOT LOST ON ME, AS WE STRIVE FOR
EQUITY FOR ALL PEOPLE IN A PLACE
THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS MET ITS
COMMITMENT. IN A STATE THAT MUST
DEAL WITH EXTREME RACIAL
IMBALANCE, WE SEEK TO NOT ONLY
CHANGE WHAT IS POSSIBLE, BUT
WHAT IS EXPECTED. TIME WILL
JUDGE WHAT WE DO WITH THIS
MOMENT, BECAUSE ABOVE AND BEYOND
MAKING HISTORY, WE MUST STRIVE
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
[APPLAUSE]
TO MY PARENTS, WHO ARE HERE
TODAY, YOU NEVER FAILED TO
PROVIDE, AND WORKED HARD TO
CREATE A FOUNDATION FOR ME. I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE
LESSONS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES
YOU PROVIDED ME.
EVEN THOUGH I MAY NOT HAVE
SEEMED TO APPRECIATE IT AT THE
TIME.
[LAUGHTER]
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO
CONGRATULATE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN
SWORN IN BEFORE ME - SECRETARY
OF STATE LAFOLLETTE, TREASURER
GODLEWSKI, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL
KAUL. AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I
DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FRIEND,
AND SOON-TO-BE-GOVERNOR, TONY
EVERS.
[APPLAUSE]
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS,
I'M SO PROUD TO CALL YOU A
FRIEND.
IT WILL BE A NEW DAY IN
WISCONSIN WITH YOU SERVING AS
OUR GOVERNOR, AND I AM HONORED
TO SERVE OUR GREAT STATE BY YOUR
SIDE.
I INTEND TO FOCUS THE LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON THE CORE
PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY AND
SUSTAINABILITY. WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT
OPPORTUNITY EXISTS IN EVERY
COMMUNITY ACROSS OUR STATE.
[APPLAUSE]
THAT STARTS WITH ACCESS TO
HEALTH CARE. GREAT SCHOOLS IN
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND CLEAN
DRINKING WATER IN OUR HOMES. A
PERSON'S ZIP CODE SHOULD NOT
DETERMINE THEIR DESTINY.
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
THE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED FOR
CHANGE. TO END THE ERA OF
DIVISION. FROM THIS DAY FORWARD,
WE STRIVE TO LEAD THE NATION
ONCE AGAIN. TO RID COMMUNITIES
OF THE RAMPANT DISPARITIES AND
DESPERATION THAT HOLD US ALL
BACK.
WITH BOLD ACTION, WE WILL DO
MORE THAN TURN A PAGE. WE WILL
REGISTER AN ENTIRELY NEW CHAPTER
FOR THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, ONE
FOCUSED ON JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS
FOR ALL. WE WILL USHER IN AN ERA
OF GREATNESS NOT YET SEEN, SO
THAT OUR ENTIRE STATE CAN
THRIVE. ALL THIS AND MORE
THROUGH A TRULY REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRACY, EMBOLDENED BY THE
CAUSE OF STATE, TO PLAY OUR PART
IN CREATING A MORE PERFECT
UNION, SO THAT WISCONSIN'S STAR
ON THE AMERICAN FLAG SHINES EVEN
BRIGHTER AND TRULY LIVE UP TO
OUR STATE'S MOTTO - FORWARD.
>> GOOD MORNING HONORABLE
GOD BLESS THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD MORNING.
HONORABLE
ELECTED OFFICIALS,
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, AND
FELLOW WISCONSINITES. MY NAME IS
BELLA WABINDATO AND I AM PROUD
TO BE BAD RIVER OJIBWE. I AM
PROUD OF MY COMMUNITY, MY
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
CULTURE, AND MY RESERVATION. I'M
HONORED TO BE STANDING HERE
SHARING WHAT I LOVE ABOUT OUR
STATE AND MY HOPES FOR ITS
FUTURE.
WISCONSIN IS BLESSED WITH
BEAUTIFUL WATERS. OUR PEOPLE
SETTLED ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF
LAKE SUPERIOR ON THE BAD RIVER
AND KAKAGON SLOUGHS BECAUSE
THESE PLENTIFUL WATERS HOST OUR
SACRED FOOD MANOOMIN-OR WILD
RICE. I VAUE OUR BEAUTIFUL
NATURAL RESOURCES.
SINCE 5TH, GRADE I'VE BEEN
INVOLVED IN 4H AND RECENTLY IN A
STUDENT ORGANIZATION CALLED
WORLDLY AWARE TEENS ENCOURAGING
RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY. I'M
GRATEFUL FOR MY PEOPLE. IN BAD
RIVER, OUR PEOPLE KNOW OUR
WORTH, BUT YET, WE CANNOT ALWAYS
CONVINCE OTHERS OF IT.
TO ME, RACIAL EQUITY IN
WISCONSIN WOULD MEAN THAT OTHER
PEOPLE SEE MY PEOPLE THE WAY I
DO, AS PEOPLE. BUT THERE ARE
SOME BARRIERS WE MUST OVERCOME
TOGETHER.
[APPLAUSE]
THERE ARE SOME BARRIERS WE MUST
OVERCOME TOGETHER.
WE HAVE A TRADITION IN OUR
CULTURE OF SHARING A FEAST WITH
EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I
BELIEVE ALL WISCONSINITES
DESERVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
EVEN IN A SMALL COMMUNITY LIKE
ASHLAND, WHERE I GO TO SCHOOL,
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RACES
ARE VERY APPARENT. WE HAVE
SOCIAL BOUNDARIES LOCALLY AND AT
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
HOWEVER, I AM HOPEFUL.
I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE I SEE
OPPORTUNITIES TO TOPPLE THESE
WALLS AND HEAL THE RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND MOVE
TOGETHER AS A STATE. I'M EXCITED
TO SEE MORE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR BEING SWORN INTO OFFICE
TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
I'M HONORED TO HAVE BEEN
INCLUDED TODAY, SO I CAN
INTRODUCE SOMEONE I ADMIRE.
GOVERNOR-ELECT EVERS HAS WORKED
TO ADDRESS THE RACIAL
DISPARITIES AND INEQUITIES IN
OUR SCHOOLS. HE HAS COMMITTED TO
PROTECTING OUR WATERS. HE WILL
BUILD ON THESE SUCCESSES AND
KEEP DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS
AND MOVE WISCONSIN FORWARD
TOGETHER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MADAME CHIEF JUSTICE, IT IS
MY GREAT HONOR TO PRESENT THE
HONORABLE TONY EVERS, WHO HAS
BEEN ELECTED TO THE OFFICE OF
GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN AND WHO
NOW WISHES TO TAKE THE OATH OF
OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> GOVERNOR, HAVING BEEN DULY
ELECTED ARE YOU NOW PREPARED TO
TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?
>> YES, I AM.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND
AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> I, TONY EVERS, SWEAR THAT I
WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES AND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN AND WILL FAITHFULLY
AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE
DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF
GOVERNOR TO THE BEST OF MY
ABILITY SO HELP ME GOD.
>> THANK YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
>> THANK YOU, ISABELLE AND THANK
YOU, NICK. LET'S GIVE THESE KIDS
ANOTHER ROUND OF
APPLAUSE-THEY'VE BEEN
EXCEPTIONAL TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> CHIEF JUSTICE ROGGENSACK,
HONORABLE SUPREME COURT
JUSTICES, FORMER GOVERNORS,
CONSTITUTIONAL
OFFICERS-INCLUDING
NEWLY-APPOINTED STATE
SUPERINTENDENT CAROLYN STANFORD
TAYLOR-
[APPLAUSE]
CABINET SECRETARIES, TRIBAL
LEADERS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS,
STATELEGISLATORS, GENERAL
DUNBAR AND THE NATIONAL GUARD,
AS WELL AS ACTIVE AND RETIRED
MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, FRIENDS
AND FAMILY, AND, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN:
WELCOME, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I WANT TO THANK GOVERNOR
WALKER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
KLEEFISCH AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR
THEIR SERVICE TO OUR STATE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY WIFE,
KATHY AND MY FAMILY FOR THEIR
RELENTLESS SUPPORT FROM TOMAH TO
VERONA TO STANDING HERE TODAY
AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN - I
LOVE YOU ALL.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND FINALLY, TO THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN.
I'M HUMBLED TO BE HERE TODAY AS
A KID WHO GREW UP IN PLYMOUTH,
MET MY WIFE IN KINDERGARTEN TOOK
HER TO JUNIOR PROM AND WENT FROM
SCRAPING THE MOLD OFF OF CHEESE
TO TEACHING SCIENCE TO BECOMING
STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO NOW
STANDING HERE BEFORE YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TRUST IN
ME AND THE OPPORTUNITY AND
PRIVILEGE TO SERVE YOU AND OUR
STATE. THANK YOU.
IN CASE YOU MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN,
I'M TONY EVERS, AND I'M
INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE THE 46TH
GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I'VE SPENT THE PAST YEAR
TRAVELING ACROSS OUR STATE
TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT
MATTER MOST TO THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN.
WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WHAT'S BEST
FOR OUR KIDS IS WHAT'S BEST FOR
OUR STATE.
AND THAT MEANS WE NEED TO FULLY
FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT EVERY
LEVEL, SO THAT EVERY KID IN OUR
STATE HAS ACCESS TO A QUALITY
EDUCATION, NO MATTER WHAT THE
ZIP CODE, FROM ALL-DAY PRE-K TO
OUR UNIVERSITY AND TECHNICAL
COLLEGE SYSTEMS.
[APPLAUSE]
WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT
HEALTHCARE IS AFFORDABLE AND
ACCESSIBLE AND PROTECTS PEOPLE
WHO HAVE PRE-EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
WE TALKED ABOUT GRAVEL ROADS,
POTHOLES, AND BRIDGES, AND WHY
WE CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER FOR A
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO OUR
TRANSPORTATION CRISIS.
[APPLAUSE]
THAT'S NOT ME.
[LAUGHTER] I'LL WAIT A SECOND.
THANK YOU.
CAN YOU HEAR ME ALRIGHT?
I'LL PRESS ON.
BUT TODAY IS BIGGER THAN THESE
ISSUES THAT WE ALL CARE ABOUT.
THERE WE GO.
WE CANNOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS
UNLESS PEOPLE COME BEFORE
POLITICS.
[APPLAUSE]
WE'VE BECOME PARALYZED BY
POLARITY AND WE'VE BECOME
CONTENT WITH DIVISION.
WE'VE BECOME INDIFFERENT TO
RESENTMENT AND GOVERNING BY
RETRIBUTION.
WE'VE GOTTEN AWAY FROM WHO WE
ARE AND THE VALUES THAT MAKE
WISCONSIN GREAT NOT REPUBLICAN
OR DEMOCRATIC VALUES, BUT OUR
WISCONSIN VALUES OF KINDNESS AND
RESPECT EMPATHY AND COMPASSION
AND INTEGRITY AND CIVILITY.
THIS IS BIGGER THAN ME.
THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN.
IT'S ABOUT SETTING ASIDE
POLITICAL INTERESTS AND PERSONAL
AMBITIONS TO WORK TOGETHER ON
SOLVING PROBLEMS.
[APPLAUSE]
IT'S ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.
PEOPLE LIKE THE 870,000 FAMILIES
IN WISCONSIN WHO ARE STRUGGLING
TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND CAN'T
AFFORD BASIC NECESSITIES LIKE
CHILD CARE, FOOD, AND
TRANSPORTATION.
PEOPLE LIKE THE MOM FROM
OCONOMOWOC WHO SPENDS TWO
HUNDRED DOLLARS A DAY ON
MEDICATION BECAUSE SHE'S AMONG
THE 2.4 MILLION WISCONSINITES
WHO HAVE A PRE-EXISTING
CONDITION.
LIKE DAIRY FARMERS FROM WASHBURN
TO DOOR COUNTY LOSING THEIR
FARMS PASSED DOWN FOR
GENERATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN THE
BACKBONE OF OUR STATE FOR THE
BETTER PART OF A CENTURY.
[APPLAUSE]
LIKE KIDS ACROSS OUR STATE GOING
TO SCHOOL IN CLASSROOMS WITH
THIRTY OTHER KIDS BECAUSE WE'VE
FAILED TO FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
LIKE OUR SENIORS FROM
RHINELANDER TO RACINE WHO CAN'T
AFFORD SOARING DRUG PRICES OR
RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS AND WHO
DESERVE TO AGE AND RETIRE WITH
DIGNITY.
LIKE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WORK
MULTIPLE JOBS JUST TO STAY HERE
AND AFFORD THEIR STUDENT LOAN
PAYMENTS AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO
US TO TAKE GUN VIOLENCE AND
GLOBAL WARMING SERIOUSLY.
[APPLAUSE]
I TOOK THE OATH TODAY WITH THE
GRACE AND HUMILITY OF KNOWING
THAT NO SINGLE PERSON CAN SOLVE
THESE PROBLEMS ALONE.
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE CAN ONLY
BE FIXED BY FINDING SOLUTIONS
TOGETHER.
170 YEARS AGO, OUR FOREFATHERS
CHARGED US WITH BEING
INDUSTRIOUS AND INNOVATIVE. THEY
GAVE US A MANDATE TO GO FORWARD.
WE FACE THAT CALLING HERE TODAY.
WE MUST TURN THE PAGE ON THE
TIRED POLITICS OF THE PAST.
AND WE MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
IT'S TIME TO REMAKE AND REPAIR
OUR STATE AND TO RECLAIM OUR
BETTER HISTORY.
[APPLAUSE]
THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN DEMANDED
A CHANGE THIS NOVEMBER, AND THAT
CHANGE IS COMING.
[APPLAUSE]
BUT THAT CHANGE WON'T HAPPEN
WITHOUT ALL OF US.
SO, THAT HARD WORK BEGINS HERE
TODAY.
IT BEGINS IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND
ON OUR PLAYGROUNDS WHERE OUR
KIDS LEARN TO BE ACCEPTING AND
TREAT OTHERS WITH KINDNESS AND
RESPECT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
THEIR PARENTS WERE BORN HERE
WHAT THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE AND
NO MATTER THEIR IDENTITY.
IT BEGINS ON CAMPUSES AND IN
COFFEE SHOPS ON SIDEWALKS AND
HOUSES OF WORSHIP WHERE WE WILL
NOT FEAR DIVERSITY OR OUR
DIFFERENCES BUT FIND VALUE IN
DISCOURSE AND DIALOGUE THAT MAKE
US BETTER PEOPLE AND BETTER
CITIZENS.
WHAT A THOUGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
IT BEGINS WITH VALUING THE
DIGNITY OF ALL OUR WORKERS FROM
PAPER MILLS TO NURSING HOMES
RESTAURANTS TO CRANBERRY FARMS
AND VILLAGE HALLS TO HIGHWAYS BY
RECOGNIZING THAT EVERY PERSON
HAS MEANING AND EACH JOB A
PURPOSE, NONE MORE IMPORTANT
THAN ANY OTHER.
[APPLAUSE]
FINALLY, IT BEGINS IN THESE
MARBLE HALLS WHERE, AS ELECTED
OFFICIALS, WE ARE REMINDED THAT
OUR OBLIGATION AND OUR
ALLEGIANCE ARE TO THE PEOPLE OF
THIS STATE NOT ANY POLITICAL
LEADER OR PARTY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THAT IS THE PROMISE AND THE
SPIRIT OF OUR SERVICE.
MAY WE DARE TO TRANSCEND
DIVISIVENESS AND PARTY LINE.
MAY WE HAVE COURAGE IN OUR
CONSCIENCE.
AND MAY WE BE WILLING TO DO
WHAT'S BEST FOR THE NEXT
GENERATION RATHER THAN THE NEXT
ELECTION.
[APPLAUSE]
WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES
FACING OUR STATE, AND WE WILL NO
DOUBT FACE SETBACKS IN THE DAYS
AHEAD.
BUT WE ARE MORE THAN THE SUM OF
OUR DIFFERENCES.
AND WHAT UNITES US IS FAR, FAR
GREATER THAN WHAT DIVIDES US.
[APPLAUSE]
I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE HOPEFUL
ABOUT OUR STATE AND OUR KIDS'
FUTURE AS I STAND HERE TODAY.
WE MUST DARE GREATLY TO GO
FORWARD IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
AND UNCERTAINTY.
WE MUST DARE TO MAKE SPACE FOR
HOPE HERE ONCE AGAIN.
AND TODAY, WE TURN TOWARD THE
FUTURE AND WE MOVE FORWARD
TOGETHER.
LET'S POLKA TONIGHT AND GET TO
WORK TOMORROW.
THANK YOU, AND ON, WISCONSIN!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU, AND ON, WISCONSIN.
>> CONGRATULATIONS GOVERNOR
EVERS!
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE AND MUSIC]
>> ALRIGHT.
>> AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE
CEREMONY, GOVERNOR EVERS AND
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES WILL
HOST A RECEIVING LINE IN THE
GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM. BOTH
OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN THE EAST
WING OF THE LEVEL ONE.
ON BEHALF OF GOVERNOR TONY
EVERS, THE CONSTITUTIONAL
OFFICERS, AND THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE FOR THIS
HISTORIC EVENT.
THIS CONCLUDES THE INAUGURATION
CEREMONY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING
IN THIS CELEBRATION OF OUR
DEMOCRACY. ON WISCONSIN!
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]
>> THERE YOU HAVE THE
INAUGURATION OF EVANS AS THE
46TH GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN SIN.
>> THIS CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE
OF THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY AND
NOW WE RETURN YOU TO REGULARLY
SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING.