WASHINGTON - The Golden State's senior U.S. Senator, Dianne Feinstein, picked up a hammer Wednesday and symbolically began construction on the 2009 presidential inaugural platform.

Feinstein, who chairs the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, was joined Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) in the traditional "First Nail" ceremony which kicks off construction of the platform and planning for the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20.

"The presidential inauguration is more than just a celebration of one person's assumption of the presidency," Feinstein said. "It is an affirmation of our constitution, which ensures the peaceful transition from one administration to another.  Congress has the responsibility of overseeing this important symbolic event, and I am honored to chair the effort for the 2009 inauguration."