Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2012

SCHUMER INVITES GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR TO PERFORM AT 57th PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Announced His Invitation for Brooklyn Tabernacle to Send Its Choir to Perform At Presidential Swearing-In

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to Be Featured in Televised Performance in Prelude to Official Ceremony; As Chairman, Schumer Is Responsible For Arranging Congressional Ceremonies for 57th Presidential Inauguration

Schumer: This Invitation is Music to Brooklyn Tabernacle’s Ears & I Know They’ll Send Talented Singers to Represent My Hometown of Brooklyn in Washington

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer invited the Brooklyn Tabernacle to send its Grammy award-winning choir to perform at the 57^th Presidential Inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in January 2013. Schumer is the Chairman of the 2013 Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Schumer has frequently visited the vibrant and thriving Brooklyn Tabernacle and is a big fan of its choir.

“I am honored for the opportunity to plan the Presidential Inauguration festivities, and today I’m pleased to invite Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to perform at the 57^th Inauguration in January,” said Schumer. “As a frequent visitor to their wonderful congregation I know from first-ear experience how amazing this choir is, and I know they will wow the whole nation, too. I know this invitation is music to their ears, and they will send their talented, Grammy award-winning singers to represent my hometown Brooklyn in the nation’s capital. I look forward to Pastor Jim Cymbala’s decision, as I know the choir will showcase the best that New York has to offer.”

The Joint Committee was authorized by S. Con. Res. 35, which passed the Senate on March 1, 2012, and the House on March 5^th. Members of JCCIC are appointed by the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. In accordance with tradition, the Senate representatives on JCCIC are Majority Leader Harry Reid, Rules Committee Chairman Schumer, and Rules Committee Ranking Member Lamar Alexander. The House members of JCCIC are Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

S. Con. Res. 35 established the date of the 2013 inauguration as Monday, January 21, 2013, since January 20, 2013 is a Sunday. This is the seventh time in U.S. history that the constitutionally mandated inauguration date has fallen on a Sunday. The last time was for President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985. When this occurs, the public ceremonies traditionally are held on Monday.

In addition, January 21, 2013 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It will be the second time that this federal holiday has coincided with a Presidential inauguration. The first was President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration on Monday, January 20, 1997.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s invitation appears below:

July 17, 2012

Pastor Jim Cymbala

The Brooklyn Tabernacle

17 Smith Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Dear Pastor Cymbala:

I write in my capacity as Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to extend an invitation to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to perform during the 57^th Presidential Swearing-In Ceremony. The official ceremony will take place at the United States Capitol on Monday, January 21, 2013.

The Choir will perform in the prelude before the official ceremony begins before a distinguished audience that includes former Presidents, Senators, Representatives, and Cabinet Officials. The performance will also be televised.

I truly hope that you will be able to participate in this historic day as our nation joins together and celebrates the inauguration of our President.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

Chairman

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