Pence swore in william hagerty, president trumps pick to be the next ambassador to japan. This is 15 minutes. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests. Its my pleasure as the acting chief of protocol to welcome you to the swearingin ceremony of big hagerty as the next United States ambassador to japan. The honorable mike pence will give the oath of office. Its my honor to introduce the vicepresident of the United States, mr. Mike pence. [applaus [applause] well, good afternoon, and behalf of the first family, welcome to the white house. Its going to be my great honor today and, in fact, a privilege to administer the oath of office to the 42nd United States ambassador to japan, bill hagerty. [applaus [applaus [applause] were joined today by very distinguished guests. Senator alexander and senator corker from bill hagertys home state of tennessee. Will you join me in welcoming them both . [applaus [applause] see distinguished members of the military and other honored guests. I know the family is very grateful youre here, as is the president and myself. Were joined today also by the most distinguished guests who are here and that is our incoming ambassadors wonderful family. His mother ruth. [applaus [applause] and most especially, his wonderful wife krissy and their four beautiful children. You guys stand up. Go ahead and stand up, guys. [applaus [applause] the hagerty family heads to japan. And its a big crew. We also have many other honored guests with us today, including the commander of the United States armed forces japan, general jerry martinez, and many distinguished members of congress from his home state, as well as the senators that i mentioned before. In fact, its important to note that snort corker is in fact the chairman of the Senate ForeignAffairs Committee and were truly honored to have you and senator alexander here. Were joined by members of house of representatives of tennessee, congresswoman blackburn, congressman phil rowe and others, would you give them a round of applause . [applaus [applause] and i know its a particular honor to have with us bills counterpart japans ambassador to the United States of america, ambassador sasay and his wife. [applause]. As well as a special advisor to the Prime Minister and member, kaway. [applause] if i had the privilege of expressing during my trip to japan on the president s behalf earlier this year. Under president donald trump, the United States is firmly committed, firmly committed to our treasured friend and ally japan. One of the clearest signs of that commitment i believe today is the president s choice of bill hagerty as americas ambassador to japan. [applaus [applause] bill, throughout your life, youve helped to strengthen the ties between america and japan. It started early in your career when you actually lived in japan on a threeyear assignment as a consultant. You then served as an Economic Advisor under president George Herbert walker bush and then time in the Tennessee Department of economic and community development, you worked with japanese firms to make investments in your home state that have created good paying jobs for the people of tennessee. It reaches far beyond your professional level. Your service on the far east council of the boy scouts of america has deepened the friendship between our nations for years to come. The president has called on you to represent as the ambassador to japan. This is a momentous time in our alliance. In this time of challenge and widening threats in the region, the u. S. Japan Alliance Remains the cornerstone of peace, prosperity and freedom in the asia pacific. The United States and japan stand together resolutely to confront whatever threats are posed to us, especially those posed by the regime in north korea. [applaus [applause] and the president is also committed to expanding our bonds of exercise, as the president said when he met with Prime Minister abe, the exchange between us is truly a blessing and so it is. And through the dialog the president had me launch during my vision in april, our countries have been working for our bilateral ties and were looking to advance that. Bill, given your record, leadership and distinguished history the president and i are confident youll excel in this role, to help make the extraordinary friendship and alliance between the United States of america and japan even stronger. Now its my great privilege to administer to you the oath of offi office. Place your left hand on the bible. Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I, William Francis hagerty iv, do solemnly swear that i will support and defend the constitution of the United States. That ill support and defend the constitution of the United States. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. And i will bear true of the same. That i take this obligation freely. That i take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservations. Without any mental reservations. Or purpose of evasion. Or purpose of evasion. That i will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office. That i will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office. On which im about to enter. Upon which im about to enterments so help me god. So help me god. Congratulations. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you, the United States ambassador to japan, William Francis haggerty iv. [applause]. [applause]. Mr. Vicepresident , thank you so much. Its truly an honor to be sworn in by you for a number of reasons. One, you are our incredible leader as chairman of the Transition Team and it was my privilege to serve under you there. Thank you very much, sir. Second [applaus [applause] second, on behalf of the United States, you lead our economic bilateral dialog with japan. There could not be a more fitting person to introduce this relationship than you, again, thank you. And third, its an a very personal point to me that the last time i was in this room was when i was on the staff of another great vicepresident who hailed from indiana, vicepresident dan quayle. It was an honor to work for him then and sir, its an honor to work for you now. Thank you. Id also like to thank our senators, senator alexander, senator corker, both of you have been mentors, friends and guides to me. Its meant so much to me personally to have the benefit of your incredible knowledge, your leadership, and i look forward to continuing to work very closely with you both as we move forward. I know i would not be here today were it not for you. Thank you. [applaus [applause] the rest of our tennessee congressional delegation ive worked with all of you from the tip of memphis to the top part of bristol, tennessee. So glad to have your support and have you here. I want to thank some great ambassadors here with us today. Id like to start with my great colleague from japan. Were going to leave this and take you now live on cspan2 on hearing on people with disabilities, from hollywood. Dancers,artists, and this is a day long event sponsored. A loved one, a Family Member or a close friend who you really care about who has a disability, so, everyone in the room, everyone in the room. How many of you this is something that you do like very involved, very involved in that. Okay, who here will say, you know, i didnt really know about this, but okay. Great. So, good morning, and hello and welcome. I am the founder and president respectability are you having trouble hearing me . 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