December 28, 2006

Anita Baker to perform National Anthem New Year's Day; new schedule for community open houses to be announced

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr., along with other statewide officials elected in November, will take the oaths of office on Monday, January 1, 2007, at the State Capitol in downtown Lansing.  The official swearing-in ceremony at 11:30 a.m. will be followed by a formal program at the Lansing Center at 12:30 p.m. that will include the National Anthem performed by Detroit recording artist Anita Baker.

However, the original inaugural event schedule and some aspects of the Oaths of Office ceremony are being changed out of respect for former President Gerald R. Ford who will be laid to rest in Grand Rapids on Wednesday. 

Monday's ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol will no longer include a military band and 19-gun salute.  Additionally, the Inaugural Committee has announced that community open houses originally scheduled in Kalamazoo, Flint, Southfield, and Gaylord will not take place next week.  A January 6 inaugural evening in Grand Rapids will not take place, again, out of respect for President Ford and his family. 

A new schedule of community open houses will be announced in the near future.
 
"The nation has lost a president, but Michigan has lost one of our own," Granholm said.  "Next week will be a time to pay tribute to President Ford here in Michigan where people knew him best.  It is a time to reflect on his outstanding leadership and the contributions he made to our nation's history.  Lt. Governor Cherry and I hope that citizens will join us in Lansing for the Inaugural on New Year's Day but also take time to reflect on President Ford's legacy and pay tribute to him in their own, personal way." 
 
United States Court of Appeals Judge Damon Keith will once again administer the oath of office to Governor Granholm.  Chief Judge of the Genesee County Probate Court Robert Weiss will administer the oath of office to Lt. Governor Cherry.  Also taking the oath of office on Monday will be Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox, and members of the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, State Board of Education, University of Michigan Board of Regents, Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and Wayne State Board of Governors who were elected November 7.

The Capitol ceremony will be simulcast at the Lansing Center by the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association for those who prefer to watch it indoors.  The Michigan Association of Broadcasters will also provide coverage of the 11:30 a.m. ceremony.
 
All but two of the inaugural events are free and open to the public, including the New Year's Day swearing-in ceremony.  Proceeds from ticketed evening events in Detroit (January 13) and Marquette (January 20) will benefit Mentor Michigan, a statewide initiative led by Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern to raise awareness of the need for mentors and the associated with mentoring. The inaugural schedule that will continue without change is below:  Additional community open houses will be announced at a later time.

Sunday, December 31, 2006 - 4 p.m. 
Interfaith Prayer Service
People's Church of East Lansing, 200 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing
 
Monday, January 1, 2007 - 11:30 a.m. 
The Oaths of Office
State Capitol, Downtown Lansing
 
Inaugural Program and Addresses - 12:30 p.m.
Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing
 
Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 5 p.m. 
Interdenominational Prayer Service
Renaissance Church of God in Christ, 1001 33rd Street, Grand Rapids
 
Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 1 to 4 p.m. 
Detroit Open House
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
 
Southeastern Michigan Inaugural Evening - 8 p.m.
Marriott Hotel at The Renaissance Center, Detroit
Tickets:  $150
 
Saturday, January 20, 2007 - 6 p.m.
Upper Peninsula Inaugural Evening
Great Lakes Rooms of Northern Michigan University, Marquette
Tickets:  $25
 
Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 5 p.m.
Interdenominational Prayer Service
Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Drive, Detroit
 
The theme of the 2007 inaugural is "Celebrating the Next Michigan," which underscores the Governor's commitment to create a Michigan with a diverse, robust economy and jobs, where every student has an opportunity to attend college, where every family has access to affordable healthcare, and where our quality of life is second to none.

RSVPs are requested for all inaugural events, and tickets must be purchased for the evening events by visiting www.granholmcherry.com or calling 877-830-0608 to RSVP or purchase tickets.