COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA INVESTITURE OF CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL INAUGURATION OF HONORABLE MICHAEL A. NUTTER, MAYOR, INVESTITURE OF MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, CLERK OF QUARTER SESSIONS COURT, CITY COMMISSIONERS, REGISTER OF WILLS, SHERIFF AND JUDGES OF TRAFFIC COURT Academy of Music Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Monday, January 7, 2008 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 THE ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the investiture of members of Council, the organization of City Council, the inauguration of the Honorable Michael A. Nutter as Mayor and the investiture of members of the judiciary, Clerk of Quarter Sessions Court, City Commissioners, Register of Wills, Sheriff and judges of Traffic Court. We ask that you now please either silence or turn off all pagers and cellular phones for the remainder of the ceremony. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and bow your heads for the invocation given by His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia. CARDINAL RIGALI: Almighty and Eternal God, you have revealed your glory to the nations. God of Wisdom and Justice, through you authority is rightly administered. CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Help us to recognize your primacy in our lives. May the desire to be faithful to your commands direct our thoughts and actions. Bless our Mayor, Michael Nutter, the members of City Council and all elected officials of the City of Philadelphia. Grant them the wisdom and strength to strive to do your will in all things for the greater honor and glory of your name and for the good of all the citizens of this City. May this Administration be marked by a profound respect for the dignity of every person. Sustain its efforts to bring about justice for every man, woman and child. May it continually work towards an end to the violence that plagues the streets of our City. Amidst the challenges and trials that we face each day, help us with your grace to be people of hope, to persevere with confidence in the task you have entrusted to us so that one day we CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 may enjoy the gift of your presence and the joy of heaven, you who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. (Amen.) THE ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the Philadelphia Police, Fire Departments and Prison Systems present the colors and the Philadelphia Boys' Choir leads us in singing the National Anthem. (Colors are presented.) (Boys' Choir sings National Anthem.) (Applause.) THE ANNOUNCER: And now please be seated, as we call to the podium City Council President Anna C. Verna. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, and good morning. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural proceedings for the investiture of City Council members, the inauguration CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 of the Mayor and the induction of the judiciary and elected officials. Special guests joining us on stage today are His Eminence Justice Cardinal Rigali. Welcome. Reverend Dr. Albert Campbell; Rabbi Henry Cohen; Senator Arlen Specter; Senator Bob Casey; Congressman Brady; Congressman Chaka Fattah; Governor Rendell and his wife, the Honorable Marjorie Rendell; Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll; Attorney General Tom Corbett; Auditor General Jack Wagner; Mayor Luke Ravenstahl of Pittsburgh; New York State Senator John Sampson; District Attorney Lynne Abraham; City Controller Alan Butkovitz; Mayor John Street; former Mayor William Green; former Mayor Wilson Goode, Sr.; the Honorable C. Darnell Jones, II; the Honorable Louis J. Presenza; the Honorable Thomasine Tynes; and members of the Inaugural Committee. Please join me in welcoming them. Thank you. CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Applause.)
I wish to acknowledge the new First Lady of our City, Lisa Nutter, and their very -(Applause.)
And, of course, we have all seen before and practically feel as though we know her, their very, very lovely daughter, Olivia. (Applause.)
Would Councilwoman Krajewski please make a presentation of flowers to Mrs. Nutter and Olivia. (Flowers presented to Mrs. Nutter and Olivia.) (Applause.)
This being the day fixed by the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter for the organization of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 the hour has arrived, and we will now proceed with the organization of Council and the investiture of Council members. The first order of business will be the election of a temporary chairperson. Nominations are now in order, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I nominate Councilwoman Tasco.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Are there any further nominations? (No response.)
Hearing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Madam President. I move the nominations be closed.
The Chair thanks the gentleman, and the Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
All in favor of the motion please indicate by saying "aye." (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the nominations are closed. There being no further nominations, all in favor of the election of Councilwoman Tasco will say "aye." (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08
The ayes have it, and Councilwoman Tasco has been duly elected temporary Chair, and to her I relinquish this gavel. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. As the first order of business, I appoint Mrs. Patricia Rafferty temporary Clerk. The next order of business is the filing of the certificates of election. The Clerk will call the roll. I direct the Clerk to call the roll, beginning with the Councilpersons-at-large in alphabetical order, and then to proceed with the district Councilpersons in order of their district, beginning with the First District.
Councilwoman Tasco, a quorum of the members-elect is present, and I have in my possession certificates of election signed by Edgar Howard, City Commissioner; Honorable Pamela Pryor Dembe, Acting Commissioner; and Honorable CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Chris Wogan, Acting Commissioner, acting as the County Board of Elections in Philadelphia, indicating their election of November 6, 2007, for a term of four years, commencing the first Monday of January, AD 2008.
The investiture of members of Council will now proceed. The members-elect will rise to take the oath of office, which will be administered by the Honorable C. Darnell Jones, II, President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. JUDGE JONES: Good morning. (Good morning.) JUDGE JONES: Thank you, Ms. Tasco. Would the members of Council please place your hands on your Bible and raise your right hands, repeat after me... (Oath of office administered to members of Council.) JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Applause.)
The next order of business is the election of President of City Council for the City of Philadelphia to serve for four years, commencing January 7, 2008. Nominations are now in order. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you. I proudly and with great honor nominate Anna C. Verna.
At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam Acting President. I second the nomination.
Hearing CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 none, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
There being no further nominations, all those in favor of the election of the Honorable Anna C. Verna as President of City Council will say "aye." (Aye.)
The ayes CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 have it. However, the temporary Clerk will call the roll.
The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. Councilwoman Verna having been unanimously chosen by the members of Council, I declare that Councilwoman Verna is the duly elected CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 President of this body. (Standing ovation.)
Thank you all so very much. Thank you. Thank you. I am truly honored to be here today with the citizens of Philadelphia and the region, other elected officials, my family, friends and colleagues, as together we continue and we will continue our efforts to move Philadelphia forward through the 21st century. It was in Philadelphia just eight blocks from here that the very foundations of American democracy, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, had their beginning. Carpenters Hall and the new National Constitution Center are powerful symbols of our City's rich history, but they also represent our future. My friends, I assure you the best days of William Penn's "green country town" are yet to come. CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Applause.)
When I stood before you four years ago, I told you that we in City government have a responsibility to improve our public schools, our City's neighborhoods and our City's economy. Today, through a lot of hard work, much has been accomplished toward these goals. Neighborhoods are improving. Our economy continues to stabilize, and more funding has been provided for our public schools. New schools are being built for the first time in decades in a number of our areas. These include the recently completed Microsoft School of the Future, funded by the Gates Foundation, and a new Audenreid High School. We must continue to focus resources on our schools, since they provide the groundwork for our students to move on to the innumerable choices of colleges and universities available to them in Philadelphia. CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Applause.)
I cannot possibly name all of these colleges and universities, but I feel compelled to highlight a few. Representing the Ivy League is the University of Pennsylvania, which was founded by the first great American citizen, Philadelphia's own Benjamin Franklin. Last fall, Drexel University hosted one of the Democratic Presidential Debates. Drexel was chosen because of a can-do attitude with respect to technology. The Community College of Philadelphia provides a path to possibilities, whether people are starting their college career or starting over. In addition to these numerous other institutions of higher learning, Philadelphia has many incredible resources. We have a world-class Art CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Museum and amazing restaurants with cuisines from virtually every country in the world. We are home to the musical and theatrical venues that meet every taste, ranging from this very historic Academy of Music to the new state-of-the-art Suzanne Roberts Theatre just a few blocks from here. We certainly are indeed blessed to be a major source of medical research, and our hospitals save lives every day. All of these resources are the keystones upon which we place our hopes and dreams for the future. We owe our thanks to departing Mayor John Street for his commitment to the City's neighborhoods. (Applause.)
Philadelphia's renaissance happened in part because Mayor Street, along with City Council, invested in neighborhoods, and because individuals and employers believed enough in the City to invest in CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 its future. It happened because people committed to exercising civic leadership. Philadelphia has the talent, the ability and the assets needed to flourish. Today you have before you a new Mayor and a new City Council, filled with both experienced veterans and newcomers. All of us are eager to serve. The trust that the electorate has placed in my friend, our new Mayor, Michael Nutter, and my Council colleagues is hard earned, is hard earned and well deserved. The people of Philadelphia have our pledge that we will work together. Politics at its best is about making good choices and making these choices together. We must build alliances by seeking what unites us, not what divides us. City Council is mandated by the Home Rule Charter to exercise its independence from the executive branch. Needless to say, sometimes there will be disagreements between the Mayor and City CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Council, but our focus must always be on the common good, which is to make our City a better place. I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for entrusting the Council presidency to me. Your trust will be justified by my complete dedication to the important work of this Council. We must be responsible and responsive to the people we represent. To make our City a better place, we must stop violent crime. I will repeat, we must stop violent crime. (Applause.)
Our crime-fighting efforts must include sensible gun laws. (Applause.)
Once again, I beg, plead and implore the State Legislature to understand what our Philadelphia representatives already know. You must act now or give us the authority to act, but something has to be CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 done. (Applause.)
It is simply unconscionable that our children can buy guns almost as easily as they can buy a piece of candy. That is truly sad. As we make our streets safer, we must continue to rebuild neighborhoods across the City. Rebuilding requires a full partnership between government and neighborhoods. It requires listening to communities about what they want and what they need, because redevelopment is not a one-size-fits-all effort. I call upon all Philadelphians to take pride in their neighborhoods and become active participants in every way they can. Progress comes not by sitting casually on the sidelines, but working together. Over the course of my tenure in Council -- and, Jim, don't you say a word -- I have seen much change. Change is natural and normal. As we begin 2008, CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 we must continue to adjust to the changing needs of our City, build upon what works and discard what doesn't work. In that process, we must all treat each other with dignity and respect. Every person on this stage wants to serve the citizens of Philadelphia in the best way he or she can. Debate marked by meaningful criticism and helpful solutions, not by bullying or belittling, is a much, much more effective way to seek change. Our City will be a better place if citizens, advocates, activists and elected officials alike follow such a positive course of action. If I could choose the buzz word for today, it would be "optimism," the optimism I hear in the streets about our new Mayor, about Philadelphia's progress and Philadelphia's future. That optimism is accompanied by my pledge to work with all these people, individuals and neighborhoods across the City and with CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 governments, businesses and civic leaders throughout the region to make Philadelphia grow. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank and acknowledge my dear husband, Sevy, who is unable to join us today. Without him I would not be standing before you. And, Sevy, I want you to know I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. (Applause.)
I also want to thank my brother for coming in from Florida to join me today, and he'll be holding my Bible, which was used by my father many years ago when he was first elected as a magistrate. So to all of you, I say thanks. May God bless you and your families in the coming year. And we will now again proceed with the ceremony. Thank you all very much. (Applause.) CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08
Madam President, you have to have the oath of office administered to you. So I now call on Judge Darnell Jones. I also appoint Councilman Kenney, Councilman Goode, Councilman Rizzo, Councilwoman Brown to escort the President to the rostrum so that she can have the oath of office administered to her. Joining her will be her brother, Angelo Cibotti. JUDGE JONES: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me... (Oath of office administered to Anna C. Verna.) JUDGE JONES: Congratulations, Madam President.
Thank you very much. The next order of business is the election of the Chief Clerk of the CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Council of the City of Philadelphia. Nominations are now in order, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I nominate Mrs. Patricia Rafferty.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Are there any further nominations? (No response.)
Hearing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the nominations be closed.
Thank you, CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Madam President. I second that motion.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the nominations be closed. All in favor will indicate by saying "aye." (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. There being no further nominations, all in favor of the election of Mrs. Patricia Rafferty as Chief Clerk will please say "aye." (Aye.)
The ayes have it. However, the Clerk will call the roll.
That's my line. We're a little anxious up here. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. Mrs. Rafferty having received a unanimous vote by the members of Council, CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 I now declare Mrs. Patricia Rafferty duly elected Chief Clerk of the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Councilmembers DiCicco, Kenney and Kelly will escort Mrs. Rafferty to the rostrum. Judge Jones will administer the oath of office to Mrs. Rafferty. JUDGE JONES: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me... (Oath of office administered to Mrs. Patricia Rafferty.) JUDGE JONES: Congratulations.
At this time, I will name the officers of City Council. Please be advised that at a meeting of the democratic members of Council the Honorable Marian B. Tasco was elected Majority Leader and the Honorable -CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Applause.)
And the Honorable Darrell L. Clarke was elected Majority Whip of the City Council of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Also be advised that at a meeting of the republican members of Council, the Honorable Brian J. O'Neill was elected Minority Leader and the Honorable Frank Rizzo was elected Minority Whip. (Applause.)
The next order of business is the introduction of a resolution concerning the rules of government of the Council of the City of Philadelphia. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer the following resolution.
I CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution to provide rules for the government of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam President, I move for the adoption -- I second the motion.
All in favor will please indicate by saying "aye." (Aye.)
Those opposed, "nay." (No response.) CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The organization of the Council of the City of Philadelphia and the investiture of the City Council members are complete, in accordance with the provisions of the Home Rule Charter. The Council is honored by the presence of Reverend Dr. Albert Campbell. I ask you all please to rise as I invite Reverend Campbell to lead us in prayer.
Let us be reverent as we pray. Almighty God, our creator, who having made each of us in your image and after your likeness and has, therefore, bestowed upon each of us a worth and value above everything else you have made, we are pleased to pause to pay homage to you as the supreme ruler of the universe. Not only have you created the earth and the world and all that is CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 therein, but also you have made us stewards of all that you have committed to our trust. So that even while we glory and magnify our own importance as controllers and possessors of things over which you have given us but which we do not ultimately own, we are ashamed and embarrassed that we have not always used wisely and well that over which we have been made stewards. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to be ever more determined to depart from a selfish, wasteful misuse of that which you've committed to us, and move to a new level of responsible stewardship in which we shall make the best and proper use of all that you have made us overseers of, sharers and users and not careless abusers of your creation. Not ultimately do we own this, but, Lord, we know that you are the ultimate owner. And so as we engage in these important proceedings, we pray for this new Administration as it begins the hard CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 choices and decisions, as well as the hard work also now begun. We pray especially, therefore, for Mayor-elect Michael A. Nutter that he will be equal to the task of the awesome servant leadership role he assumes this day. May he be divinely endowed with the wisdom and the courage to make the hard and difficult choices and decisions, knowing that leadership can sometimes be a very lonely business. May his appointments be well informed, and may the appointees prove themselves worthy of the confidence and trust placed in them. Keep Michael A. Nutter well and healthy mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Bless his family, his wife, his children, his immediate support group. May the rest of us fully understand that all of us have a stake, an important stake, in the future of this City, this nation and this world and, therefore, must we work together to bring CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 help about good and positive change; that reform can happen; that peace and justice can reign; that hatred and violence, murderer and mayhem can be reduced; that all of our children can be educated; that health and human services can be made available; that jobs can be created; that people can live together in decency and harmony and unity of purpose. And may this day and this history-making inaugural event be the starting point for a bright and promising new beginning. In thy holy name, we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Reverend Campbell. Will everyone please be seated. At this time, I invite Tracie Luck to perform the "Ave Maria." Mrs. Luck's accompanist is Blanche Burton Lyles. (Tracie Luck sings "Ave Maria.") CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Standing ovation.)
That was absolutely beautiful. I could feel tears coming to my eyes. We will now proceed with the induction of the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. The Chair appoints Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Kenney, Councilman DiCicco, Councilman O'Neill and Councilman Goode to escort the Honorable Michael A. Nutter, Mayor-elect of the City of Philadelphia, to the rostrum. (Standing ovation.)
Joining Mayor-elect Nutter are his wife, Lisa, his lovely daughter, Olivia, and their son, Christian. They will now join Mr. Nutter at the podium. Thank you. (Applause.) JUDGE McKEE: Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand, please, and repeat after me... (Oath of office administered to CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Michael A. Nutter.) JUDGE McKEE: Congratulations, Mr. Mayor. (Standing ovation.)
Members of City Council, reverend clergy, elected officials, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I have the distinct honor to present to you His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, the Honorable Michael Nutter. (Standing ovation.) (Audience member yelling "it's a new day.")
I was thinking about that myself. Madam President Verna, the members of Philadelphia City Council, Judge McKee, thank you, Judge C. Darnell Jones, the many elected officials who are here today assembled on this stage, some may be in the audience, members of the judiciary, Governor Rendell, former Mayor of the City of Philadelphia -CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 (Applause.)
-- and, ladies and gentlemen, in grand Philadelphia style, Mayor John F. Street -(Standing ovation.)
-- Cardinal Rigali, Reverend Campbell, Rabbi Cohen. My life, of course, has been a multi-phased experience. Many of you know that I attended the Transfiguration of Our Lord grade school and St. Joe's Prep High School. (Applause.)
You may also know that I'm a member of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where Reverend Campbell is the Pastor. (Applause.) CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08
And you may or may not know that when I moved to our home in Wynnefield, for ten years Henry Cohen, Rabbi Henry Cohen, and Edna Cohen were our next-door neighbors. (Applause.)
Yes, it's been a multi-phased experience. We have some company here with us today. I attended about three weeks ago the installation of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. He returned the favor and came here to Philadelphia. We are creating a new east-west partnership, and I want to recognize Mayor Ravenstahl, the youngest Mayor in the country. (Applause.)
We also have the Allegheny County Executive, Dan Onorato. I couldn't make his installation. I was appointing new people to the government, but he came today, and I want to recognize him as well. Thank you. (Applause.) CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08
Our District Attorney, Lynne Abraham; our City Controller, Alan Butkovitz; and our Attorney General, Tom Corbett, thank you all for coming as well. (Applause.)
There are a couple of other elected officials over on the side. I'm going to say something about them in a second. All of us in public life have a connection, regardless of where we serve and what our level of service. Our Philadelphia family suffered a tragedy just a few days ago. Three or four weeks ago I asked Camille Barnett to come to Philadelphia to be our new Managing Director. She accepted immediately. She is the epitome of public service. Thursday night into Friday morning tragedy struck and her husband was killed coming to Philadelphia to bring family items. Camille, of course, cannot be with us today, as there is a CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 wake for Jim Barnett later this afternoon. There's a funeral tomorrow, which I'll be attending. But I would ask if we would bow our heads for a few moments and keep Camille and Jim in our prayers. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you. To all the employees in the City of Philadelphia government, I say thank you for this wonderful opportunity to serve with you, those I've asked to come into government, those who have responded to the call to public service. We have the finest array of public officials anywhere of any city in the United States of America, and it is my honor to serve with you and provide the highest quality service to the citizens of this City, who deserve it. To Congressman Brady, Representative Evans, Congressman Fattah, Tom Knox and Al Taubenberger, the six of us had a unique experience. This CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 developed an even deeper relationship for all of us. I believe that we made Philadelphia proud. And I'd ask that you recognize all of the candidates from last year's mayor's race. We did a good job. Thank you. (Applause.)
I want to thank my former staff members from when I was in City Council. And, by the way, Madam President, old habits die hard. You may not have heard, but as we were sitting here on the stage -- and I'll say to my former colleagues -- I voted in three of the votes this morning, because I'm so used to hearing -- old habits die hard. I voted three times. And I voted for all of you. I just want you to know. To a great and incredible campaign staff and transition organization and the incredible thousands and thousands of volunteers throughout CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 Philadelphia and this region who helped to get us to where we are today, all I can say for the moment is thank you so much for your hard work and your effort and your dedication and commitment day after day, hour after hour, month after month. And I understand that at the beginning, it may not have been looking too promising, but you hung in there with us and that's why we're here where we are today. To my family sitting over on the side -- my mother; my father; my sister; my wife, Lisa; Olivia; Christian; Karen Robinson, Christian's mother -- to all of you, I say thank you very much. You've been the rock upon which I've stood for a long period of time, and I just want to say thanks. (Applause.)
There are unfortunately a few who could not be with us. Some of you heard me talk about during the campaign I grew up, my CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 mother's mother, my grandmother, in our house and my father's mother just a few blocks down the street. This would be a very proud moment for them. My political mentor, the late Councilman John C. Anderson, got me into this crazy business of politics in the first place. To him I've dedicated all of my public service. Obra S. Kernodle. (Applause.)
Today marks a new beginning, a beginning of hope, a sense of optimism and renewal for the City of Philadelphia, the opportunity to turn our great potential into astounding reality. For some time I've been talking about the great things that this City could do, but the time for talk has come to an end. The time for talk has come to CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 an end. Now we need to turn our good intentions into positive outcomes. Today we begin to take action. Today we begin to write -(Applause.)
Today we begin to write a new chapter in the history of the City of Philadelphia. For too long we have allowed other people to tell our story. It is now time for us to talk about and act upon the true Philadelphia that we know. We now find ourselves on the brink of greatness and the great opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the City, the region, the country and the world that Philadelphia is on the way back. We can -(Applause.)