Statement From Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger On The Inauguration

From the City of Burlington:

January 20, 2021

Today, in advance of the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement:

“Four years ago, the job of every elected official in the country changed profoundly as the federal government was taken over by a President hostile to our country’s institutions and values. Here in Burlington, local government suddenly had new responsibilities – to fight back against draconian changes to federal immigration policy, to maintain our commitments to the Paris Climate Accords even as the country withdrew, and to attempt to sustain civility and common purpose even as the national dialogue coarsened and splintered.

“Today, the country will swear in President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and once again have an administration of which we will be proud. Our children will see a Black woman in high office, and our country will be reminded again of the profound importance of honesty, integrity, and empathy.

“The fight in Burlington to contain Covid-19 and help our residents who have lost their jobs and businesses over the last year will improve immediately with a White House team that values and invests in local government. We will still face enormous problems in the years ahead. But now, as we tackle the generational challenges of racial justice and the climate crisis, the President and Vice President will no longer be a pervasive force that makes everything much harder, and instead will be partners in helping us achieve these difficult, transformational changes.

“Congratulations and thank you Joe Biden and Kamala Harris! Hurrah! Burlington stands with you ready to rebuild from 2020 and finally achieve the ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity for all that this country is supposed to represent.”

This press release was produced by the City of Burlington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.