January 2, 1967 (12:14 a.m.)

Inaugural Invocation and Prayer Breakfast invocation delivered by the Reverend Donald L. Moomaw

Well, George, here we are on the late show again (laughter).

I couldnt help that. I want you to know that this moment is not taken as lightly as such a remark might indicate.

Somehow, Im sure you can all imagine envisioning ahead something that was going to take place, and, somehow, it didnt in my mind or imagination turn out this way. When the decision was made to do this at this hour, and I dont know what the stars prescribed, we had our reason for doing it at this hour, I had a vision of a few of us here quietly doing this in a minute and a half and being on our way. Now, even though the picture has changed, Im happy the way it has changed.

Im deeply honored, Justice McComb, that you would come here at this odd hour and this inconvenient time to do this. And Im very proud and happy, thanks to Bob (Finch), and his relationship, too, that Senator Murphy could be here, because his friendship and mine is of long standing.

I am here with those I love the most in all the world and with friends who have come to share this moment. And I am fully cognizant of the importance of this and what it means to so many people.

I wouldnt be able to figure or state how this moment arrived, or by what course or plan I found myself in this position.

Reverend (Wilbur Choy), perhaps you werent a part of my imagining of what this moment would be, but I am deeply grateful for your presence because you remind us, and bring here, the presence of someone else, without whose presence I certainly wouldnt have the nerve to do what I am going to try to do.

Someone back in our history, I wasnt too good a student, but I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, If ever someone could take public office and bring to public office the teachings and the precepts of the prince of peace, he would revolutionize the world and men would be remembering him for a thousand years. I dont think anyone could ever take this office and be so presumptuous to believe he could do that or that he could follow those precepts completely. I can tell you this, Ill try very hard. I think it is needed in todays world.

 

Date
01/02/1967