Believe it or not, a Joint Congressional Committee decides what the president will eat after being sworn in on January 21, 2013. And even when it comes down to the menu, partisanship rules–or at least everybody tries to get local pork on the bill. Is it a coincidence that Hudson Valley Apple Pie and Tierce Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (2010) were selected? Would you be surprised to learn that New York Senator Charles E. Schumer is the Chairman of the Committee? Never shy around a camera, the Senator points out all the New York ingredients (apples, syrup, honeycomb) before he assists in making the presidential pie: http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/luncheon/event/inaugural-luncheon-2013
Since 1901, the Committee has been responsible for the planning and execution of the luncheon and the swearing-in ceremonies for the Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. And since 1949, native D.C-er Charlie Brotman, 85, has served as the inaugural parade announcer. That’s 11 presidents! He won’t tell you which was his favorite but admits to being surprised by the number of small town high school marching bands in Obama’s parade. Quite different from the parades for Kennedy and Reagan which were full of “big celebrities.”
