this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.This week, Barack Obama began his second termas president of the United States.The public swearing-in ceremony took place on Mondayat the Capitol building in Washington.In a speech, Mr. Obama read from parts ofthe United States Constitutionand the Declaration of Independence."What makes us exceptional,what makes us American is our allegianceto an idea articulated in a declarationmade more than two centuries ago.We hold these truths to be self-evident,that all men are created equal."Officials estimated that over one million peoplegathered on Washington's "National Mall"for the inaugural ceremonies.Some came for the musical performances.But others wanted to hear how President Obamawould define goals for the next four years.In his speech, Mr. Obama saidhe will make climate change one of his top goals.He said that failing to deal with the threatfrom rising temperatures would betray the world's children" Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science,but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging firesand crippling drought and more powerful storms. ".Environmental groups welcomed the president's desireto act on climate change.The Sierra Club called his comments ‘heartening.'It said global warming is an urgent issue for the whole world.But many opponents of Mr. Obama's policies disagree.They say it would cost too much for the American economyto move away from using oil and other fossil fuels.The president raised other issues of disagreementbetween the Republican and Democratic Parties.For example, he made it clear that now is the timeto re-examine American immigration policies.The president predicted that some immigrantscould one day become the country's technological leaders.After the speech, political leaderswere quick to comment on the ceremonies.Senator Johnny Isakson, a Republican, thought the event was great."I thought it was a great program, an uplifting program.I thought the music was fantastic, the poem was fantastic.The president's speech was thoughtful.I thought it was another testamentto our constitution and our democracy."Democratic Congressman John Conyers praised the inaugural address.He said he thinks President Obama will make his second termeven more powerful than the first.Mr. Obama said that with 10 years of war coming to an end,and the economy recovering, now is the time for America to unite.But, Republican Senator John McCain found the speech lacking.He said it failed to improve cooperation between the two parties.Yet Senator Robert Casey, a Democrat,noted that inaugural addresses are important."I know there are cynics who say that speeches do not matterand nothing will cut through the cynicism and partisanship.But I disagree. I think all of us at our coreshare some basic values as Americans.And we need to be reminded of it."Mr. Obama took the oath of office on two historic Bibles.One book had been used by President Abraham Lincolnin his 1861 inauguration.The other Bible belonged to the civil rights leaderMartin Luther King, Junior.People across the United Statesobserved the Martin Luther King federal holiday on Monday.