By Robert J. McCarthy
Tickets for New Yorkers seeking to attend President Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20 will be awarded through a special lottery conducted by the office of Sen. Charles E. Schumer.
The senator announced Thursday he will distribute tickets to those requesting them through a random drawing to be held on Dec. 14. The free tickets are provided through congressional offices, with requests accepted only through Dec. 13 and submitted only on the Schumer website http://www.schumer.senate.gov/Contact/inauguration.cfm.
“I am thrilled to see the early excitement from New Yorkers all over the state who would like to attend the momentous swearing in of President Obama for his second term,” Schumer said. “The statewide lottery will provide hundreds of New Yorkers the opportunity to experience history as they attend the president’s swearing-in ceremony outside of the United States Capitao. As a chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, I am glad that several New York businesses will be among those providing top-of-the-line refreshments and entertainment at the 57th Presidential Inauguration, and now New Yorkers will have the opportunity to enter a lottery through my office to receive tickets to this historic event.”
Entrants will be asked to submit their name and address. Two tickets will be given to each lottery winner, and winners will be notified personally after the lottery is held. Schumer noted that only the names of the winners could be made public.
Schumer serves as chairman the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) which oversees the swearing in ceremonies. Members of committee are appointed by the vice president and the speaker of the House.
