Hello,

Happy Inauguration Day! What a historic day for our country and one that many of us worked toward for years. I can't wait to watch alongside the rest of the world as Joe Biden is sworn in as our next president. And Kamala Harris is making history as the first woman and Black, South Asian American vice president.

Arriving at this moment wasn't easy. The last four years have left a dark stain on our nation, and we are more divided than ever.

Now is the time for us to look forward as a nation, to unify under the common goal of building our country back better in the wake of an economic and health crisis, and to ensure the past sins of a dangerous, unethical administration can never happen again.

Our nation will heal, but only if we work together — and that includes working toward our common goals. When historians look back on the next few months, I'm hopeful that they'll see a country that re-dedicated itself to progress, justice, equity, and beating back a virus that has killed far too many of our fellow Americans. I will certainly be working toward those ends.

The road ahead is hard, but today I am more hopeful than ever before that our country will rise to meet the moment. And I'm grateful to have you still with me as we start this new administration.

Before the celebration begins, I want to say thank you, friend, for believing in this movement. We wouldn't be here today without your support.

It's an honor to represent you,

Derek