^AM-TX--High Tech Inaugural, Bjt,0420
^Bush inaugural available on Internet
^Eds: Moving on news and business wires
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^By MICHAEL HOLMES= ^Associated Press Writer=
AUSTIN (AP) Next week's inauguration of Gov. George W. Bush is going high tech. Organizers said Friday the ceremonies would be available on the Internet for Texans who can't make it to the Capitol.
The web site will offer a live broadcast of the swearing-in ceremony, along with other inaugural information everything from colorful stories about past governors to such trivia as which was the smallest parade.
``In keeping with the dramatic growth of technology in our state, we have made it possible for Texans everywhere to have access to this historic event,'' said Allan Shivers Jr., chairman of the Texas Inaugural Committee.
Bush and his fellow Republican, Lt. Gov.-elect Rick Perry, will take their oaths of office at noon Tuesday, the peak of two days of activities beginning Monday at a Martin Luther King Jr. tribute in Houston and ending with four inaugural balls Tuesday night.
About 20,000 people are expected in person, but many more could witnesses it via the Internet, said Mindy Tucker, spokeswoman for the inaugural committee.
She said the inaugural committee has sent letters to school districts across the state telling teachers of the availability of the web site and Tuesday's broadcast.
``It is our hope that this site can be a learning tool for anyone wanting to know more about the inauguration of these two important officers of our state,'' Shivers said.
The site offers a history lesson, lists of former governors and lieutenant governors, an audio version of several governors and lieutenant governors taking their oaths of office, even information about the dresses worn by Texas first ladies.
Some of the unusual bits of inaugural trivia from the web site:
The shortest parade had seven participants: Gov. S.W.T. Langham, his wife and their five children. In 1903, they departed their downtown hotel and strolled to the Governor's Mansion.
In 1939, W. Lee ``Pappy'' O'Daniel, a showman who'd campaigned with a band called the Hillbilly Boys, had at least 100 marching bands in his parade. He invited all Texans to join him in taking the oath at the University of Texas' Memorial Stadium, and between 50,000 and 75,000 folks did.
In 1975, the inaugural parade celebrating the first four-year term for the governor and lieutenant governor was canceled. With the nation in the throes of an oil crisis, Gov. Dolph Briscoe decided it wouldn't be economical.
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The inaugural web site is: www.governor.state.tx.us/inauguration.html.
(Copyright 1999 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)