it is because sullivan balou and countless others believed in something bigger than themselves, and were willing to sacrifice for it, that we stand today in the full blessings of liberty, in the greatest country on earth, and that spirit lives on in each of us, americans whose families have been here for generations, and those who have just arrived, and i know our best days are yet to come. i urge all americans to read balou s full letter, his words give me solace, strength, i hope they will give you the same. now, please stand while the associate justice of the supreme court clarence thomas, administers the oath of office to the vice president of the united states. [ cheers and applause ]