President Barack Obama is officially sworn-in by Chief Justice John Roberts, not pictured, in the Blue Room of the White House Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, in Washington, as first lady Michelle Obama holds the Robinson Family Bible. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, The New York Times, Pool)
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President Barack Obama is officially sworn-in by Chief Justice John Roberts, not pictured, in the Blue Room of the White House Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, in Washington, as first lady Michelle Obama holds the Robinson Family Bible. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, The New York Times, Pool)
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A man rides a bicycle as others walk on the National Mall Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, with the U.S. Capitol prepared for the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama, the 57th Presidential Inaugural on Monday in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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The sun rises over Capitol Hill looking down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, as Washington prepares for the 57th Presidential Inaugural and the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama's second term. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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President Barack Obama smiles as he arrives at St. John's Church in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, for a church service during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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President Barack Obama supporters arrive on the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, for President Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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President Barack Obama, with daughter Sasha, waves as they leave St. John's Church in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, followed by first lady Michelle Obama, talking with Rev. Luis Leon, after attending a church service during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Crowds congregate in The National Mall for the ceremonial swearing-in for President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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President Barack Obama walks with daughter Sasha as they leave St. John's Church in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, after attending a church service during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Members of the Lee University Festival Choir and PS 22 Chorus perform before the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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President Barack Obama supporters wave American flags on the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, prior to the start of President Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Obama: Privilege to use King's Bible in inaugural
President
Barack Obama says it was a privilege to take the oath of office using a Bible that had been owned by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Obama paused by a statue of King in the Capitol Rotunda after a luncheon hosted by members of Congress. He was accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.
"You know this is the first time I have seen this," he said.
The King bust — a bronze sculpture 36 inches high on a 66-inch high Belgian black marble base — has been in the Capitol Rotunda since 1986, according to the Architect of the Capitol.
King's Bible was one of two Obama used for the ceremonial inauguration.
"I had the great privilege that the Bible we used was his Bible and they asked for it to be inscribed," Obama said. The other Bible belonged to President Abraham Lincoln.
Monday was the federal celebration of King's birthday.
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