Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1337485
President Biden is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, with first lady Jill Biden and members of his family in attendance. "This is a time of testing. We face an attack on democracy and on truth. A raging virus. Growing inequity. The sting of systemic racism. A climate in crisis. America's role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities. Now we must step up. All of us." —U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Vice President Harris is sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with second gentleman Doug Emhoff holding the Bibles. first 100 days, including $130 billion for K-12 schools and $35 billion for higher ed. e same day, first lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed NEA President Becky Pringle and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten to the White House for a virtual meeting with America's educators. "From day one of his administration, President Biden is demonstrating he is listening to educators and proving that he understands the complexities of providing students with safe and equitable learning environments during the COVID-19 pan- demic," Pringle said. Biden has already nominated the most diverse presidential Cabinet in history, including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for secretary of health and human services, and Miguel Cardona for secretary of education. Cardona, in accepting his nomination, spoke of his support for public schools and students. "For too many students, pub- lic education in America has been a flor pálida: a wilted rose, neglected, in need of care. We must be the master gardeners who cultivate it, who work every day to preserve its beauty and its purpose." For a full list of Cabinet nominees, go to our online story at cta.org/inauguration. 23 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 21 Even in dark times, we not only dream, we do. We not only see what has been, we see what can be. … We are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome, that we will rise up. This is American aspiration." — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris