PBS Wisconsin Originals

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Inauguration

– Frederica Freyberg: Good morning and welcome to Wisconsin Public Medias coverage of the 2019 inauguration ceremony.

– Shawn Johnson: We are coming to you live from the State Capitol Rotunda in Madison. Im Shawn Johnson of Wisconsin Public Radio.

– Frederica Freyberg: and Im Frederica Freyberg of Wisconsin Public Television. Starting at noon today, Tony Evers and other statewide elected officials will be sworn into office.

– Shawn Johnson: democrat Tony Evers will become the 46^th governor of Wisconsin. He defeated two-time incumbent Scott Walker last November.

– Frederica Freyberg: The Governor-elects transition team selected the Milwaukee-based Latino Arts Strings Program to get the ceremony started.

– Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the ground floor for a performance by the Latino Arts Strings Program.

[“La Bikina” by Ruben Fuentes]

Solitaria, camina la bikina
Y la gente se pone a murmurar
Dicen que tiene una pena
Dicen que tiene una pena, que la hace llorar

Altanera, preciosa y orgullosa
No permite la quieran consolar
Pasa luciendo su real majestad
Pasa, camina y nos mira sin vernos jamas

La Bikina, tiene pena y dolor
La Bikina, no conoce el amor

Altarnera, preciosa y orgullosa
No permite la quieran consolar
Dicen que alguien ya vino y se fu
Dicen que pasa las noches llorando por l

La Bikina, tiene pena y dolor
La Bikina, no conoce el amor

Altanera, preciosa y orgullosa
No permite la quieran consolar
Dicen que alguien ya vino Y se fu

Dicen que pasa las noches llorando por l
Dicen que pasa las noches llorando por l
Dicen que pasa las noches llorando por l

[applause]

[Medley from Puerto Rico Traditional, Arr. J. Ruiz]

[applause]

[La Bamba Traditional, Arr. R. Cern]

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

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan
Soy capitan, soy capitan
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

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

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

[applause]

– 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.

[Eau Claire Memorial High School Madrigal Singers perform “Gold” from the musical Once by Glen Hansard & Markta Irglov]

And I love her so

I wouldn’t trade her for gold

I’m walking on moon beams

I was born with a silver spoon

And I’m gonna be me

I’m gonna be free

I’m walking on moon beams

And staring out to sea

And if a 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

Cause if your skin was soil

How long do you think before they start digging?

And if your life was gold

How long would you think you’d stay living?

Hey

And I love her so

I wouldn’t trade her for gold

[applause]

[“Winter Wonderland” by Felix Bernard & Richard B. Smith]

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight

We’re happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song

As we go along

Walking in a winter wonderland

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

Ah yay, winter wonderland

Oh yeah, winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman

And pretend that he’s a circus clown

We’ll have lots of fun with mister snowman

Until the other kids knock him down

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight

We’re happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland

We’re walking in a winter wonderland.

[applause]

[Glow by Eric Whitacre]

Softly falls the winter snow,
whispers to the sleeping world below:
Wintertide awakes,
morning breaks and sets the earth aglow.

In gentle tones of warmest white,
Proclaim the glory of Auroroas 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:
Glow, like the softly falling snow.

[applause]

– Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the ground floor for a performance by the Tomah High School Wind Ensemble.

[applause]

[“Flourish for Wind Band by Ralph Vaughan Williams]

[applause]

[“Second Suite in F” by Gustav Holst]

[applause]

[Corcoran Cadets March by John Philip Sousa]

[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.

[William J. Reed Community Choir performs “Great God, Great Vision, Great Accomplishments” by Dr. Ricky Payton]

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, Great God

Great God 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.

He Reigneth, He Reigneth,

He Reigneth, He Reigneth,

And he reigns forever

Great is the Lord our God!

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
• Hes alpha, and omega, the beginning and the ending and he reigns forever
• Great is the lord our god
• Hes 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 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
• Our god is great
• Our god is great
• Our god is great
• If he says he will do it
• If he says he will do it
• It will come to pass
• Our lord is great
• Our lord is great
• Our lord is great
• Our lord is great
• If he says he will do it
• It will come to pass
• Great is the lord
• Great is the lord
• Great is the lord our god
• Our god
• Our god

[applause]

[“Hes Our Hope” by Dr. Cynthia Nunn]

• Early in the morning when I seek his face
• Always watching me
• Hes our hope even in the midnight hour
• Our god’s risen power
• Hes our hope, our god, our god we know that he’s our hope
• Hes our hope, he’s our hope
• He’s our hope even in the midnight hour
• Hes our hope, our god is risen power, and he is our hope
• Our god, our god we know that he’s our hope, he’s our hope, and hes our hope
• Hes our hope
• Even in the midnight hour
• Hes our hope
• Our god is the risen power, he’s our hope, our god, our god we know that he’s our hope, and hes our hope
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• When Jesus washed
• When Jesus washed
• When Jesus washed my sins away, oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• When Jesus washed
• 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
• Every day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• When Jesus washed
• When Jesus washed
• When Jesus washed
• He washed my sins away
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• He taught me how
• How to fight and pray and live rejoicing
• Every day
• Every day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day
• Oh happy day

[applause]

[I need You to Survive by David Frazier]

[applause]

[132^nd Army Band performs]

[applause]

– Good afternoon. My name is Nick Robinson.

– I can’t hear you.

– I said good afternoon everyone. My name is Nick Robinson, and I am honored to be the Master of Ceremonies for todays 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 Wisconsins 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 Army 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.

[Wisconsin National Guard Color Guard performs Trio of National Emblem]

Our National Anthem will be performed by Dr. Jonothon Overby. Immediately following, the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by students from GSAFE.

[Dr. Jonothon Overby sings Star Spangled Banner]

• O say can you see
• By the dawn’s early light
• What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
• Whos 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
• Oer the land of the free
• And the home of the brave

[applause]

– GSAFE Students: 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]

[Wisconsin National Guard Color Guard plays percussion]

– 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 todays Inaugural Ceremony. They 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 Madrigal Singers, the William J. Reed Community Choir, and members of the Latino Arts String Program.

I also want to thank the Wisconsin National Guards 132nd Army Band. [applause]

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]

Todays 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 Brisco.

[applause]

– Reverend Willie Brisco: 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 a government Tony Evers as Wisconsins 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, Governor Tommy Thompson, 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]

Wisconsins 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 Ziegler, 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.

[applause]

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. 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, 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 dont 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 Antowons 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. Thats why Tony Evers will make a great governor he understands that whats 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]

[132^nd Army Band performs]

[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.

[applause]

Madame Chief Justice, I have 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.

– Sarah Godlewski: I, Sarah Godlewski, swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Wisconsinand will faithfully and impartially discharge the dutiesof the office of Secretary of Stateto the best of my abilityso help me God.

– Chief Justice Patience Roggensack: Congratulations, State Treasurer Godlewski.

– Godlewski: 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. Its hard to believe we nearly lost this constitutional office, but together we made our voices heard: 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. 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 states history, weve 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 states 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, 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.

Our state has known extraordinary public servants like Governor Nelson. Many of us learned the value of service from our own family- and Im 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 service members, 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.

[applause]

– Nick Robinson: 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.

– Secretary LaFollette: I, Doug LaFollette, swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Wisconsinand will faithfully and impartially discharge the dutiesof the office of Secretary of Stateto the best of my abilityso help me God.

[applause]

– Chief Justice Patience Roggensack: Congratulations, Secretary of State LaFollette.

– Madame Chief Justice, I have from my colleagues here with me today we’re pleased to bring the greetings of Wisconsins 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 Wisconsinand will faithfully and impartially discharge the dutiesof the of state treasurer. Office of to the best of my ability so help me god.

– Congratulations, state treasurer Godlewski.

[applause]

– Sarah Godlewski: 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. Its 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 states history, weve 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 states 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]

Our state has known extraordinary public servants like Governor Nelson. Many of us learned the value of service from our own family- and Im 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 service members, 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.

[applause]

– 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 stateto the best of my abilityso help me god.

– Congratulations, secretary of state Lafollette.

[applause]

– Secretary of State Lafollette: 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 states 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 generalto the best of my abilityso help me god.

– Congratulations, Attorney General Kaul.

[applause]

– Josh Kaul: Thank you. Thank you to my family, to everybody watching todays inauguration ceremony, and to my fellow Wisconsinites.

Todays 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.

[applause]

At the Department of Justice, we will revitalize our commitment to justice for all Wisconsinites.

We will lead on public-safety issues. Well 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.

Thats 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 Im sure we will.

[applause]

But lets also take the opportunity presented by this moment in our states historyan inauguration thats taking place in the wake of an extraordinary session that was a clear departure from the normto remember that adhering to our fundamental values must take precedence over winning the debate of the day. Rule of law. Separation of powers. That, as the Declaration of Independence and Article I, Section 1, of the Wisconsin Constitution make clear, governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Truth. And lets also work together where we can to address the challenges we face: opioid and meth crisis, legislation to prevent another backlog of untested rape kits, crime labs and justice system, school safety.

[applause]

School safety. We need to make our schools 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]

– Madame Chief Justice, I have the honor of presenting the 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 Wisconsinand will faithfully and impartially discharge the dutiesof the office of Lieutenant Governorto the best of my abilityso help me God.

– Congratulations, Lieutenant Governor Barnes.

[applause]

– 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, Im 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 Governors 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 persons zip code should not determine their destiny.

[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 Wisconsins star on the American flag shines even brighter and truly live up to our state’s motto – Forward. God bless the state of Wisconsin and god bless you all. Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you.

[applause]

– Isabella Wabindato: 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, [applause]

my culture, [applause]

and my reservation. Im 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 value our beautiful natural resources.

Since 5th, grade Ive been involved in 4-=H and recently in a student organization called Worldly Aware Teens Encouraging Resource Sustainability. Im 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. Im excited to see more women and people of color being sworn into office today.

[applause]

Im 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 whats 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]

– Chief Justice: 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 Wisconsinand will faithfully and impartially discharge the dutiesof the office of governorto the best of my abilityso help me god.

– Congratulations.

[applause]

[cheers and applause]

[132^nd Army Band performs performs Ruffles and Flourishes and On Wisconsin]

– Thank you, Isabelle and thank you, Nick. Lets give these kids another round of applause-theyve been exceptional today.

[applause]

Chief Justice Roggensack, honorable Supreme Court justices, former governors, constitutional officersincluding newly-appointed State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor cabinet secretaries, tribal leaders, members of congress, state legislators, 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. Im 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]

Im grateful for your trust in me and the opportunity and privilege to serve you and our state. Thank you.

[applause]

In case you may have forgotten, Im Tony Evers, and Im incredibly proud to be the 46th Governor of the great state of Wisconsin.

[applause]

Ive spent the past year traveling across our state talking about the issues that matter most to the people of Wisconsin.

We talked about how whats best for our kids is whats 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]

Thats not me.

[laughter]

Ill 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]

Weve become paralyzed by polarity and weve become content with division.

Weve become indifferent to resentment and governing by retribution.

Weve 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.

Its about setting aside political interests and personal ambitions to work together on solving problems.

Its about putting people first.

[applause]

People like the 870,000 families in Wisconsin who are struggling to make ends meet and cant 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 shes 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 weve failed to fully fund our public schools.

Like our seniors from Rhinelander to Racine who cant 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. Its 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 wont 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 workersfrom paper mills to nursing homes restaurants to cranberry farms and village halls to highwaysby 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 whats 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.

Lets polka tonight and get to work tomorrow.

Thank you, and On, Wisconsin!

[cheers and applause]

[[132^nd Army Band performs special performance]

[cheers and applause]

Thank you, and on, Wisconsin.

– Nick: Congratulations, Governor Evers!

[applause]

[music]

[Applause and music]

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Barnes will host a receiving line in the Governors 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]

[132^nd Army Band performs American Overture]

– Shawn Johnson: There you have it– the inauguration of Tony Evers as the 46th governor of Wisconsin.

– Frederica Freyberg: This concludes our coverage of the Inauguration Ceremony and now we return you to regularly scheduled programming.