Insider Tour of the Capitol’s Crypt With Sen. Chuck Schumer

With inaugural festivities underway in Washington, NewsHour took a step back in time with Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, inside the area of the Capitol known as the “crypt.” It’s in that location through which President Obama will pass right before he greets the mass of people waiting to see him Monday on the west front of the Capitol.

Schumer explained that the Capitol dome, completed mostly by freed former slaves, takes on special significance now as the divisive presidential campaign and discord in Congress have taken a toll on national unity.

He said he hopes the theme for his inaugural committee’s efforts — “Faith in America’s Future” — is a harbinger of good things to come in a second Obama administration.

Tune in to the NewsHour evening broadcast Friday for a further look at the massive preparations underway to prepare for the 2013 Inauguration.

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