Thank you Justice Sears, I am honored to stand on the stage with you as you make history.
To Ambassador Young, Mayor Massell, former Governor Barnes, the Lt. Governor, Maynard Jackson's family and children, City Council President Borders, members of the Atlanta City Council, judges of the Municipal Court, distinguished guests, family and friends.
I am deeply humbled by the vote of confidence the people of Atlanta have once again entrusted in me as I begin my second term as mayor of this great city.
I am equally honored to share this occasion with my family, including my mother, my aunts, and my children. My mother came again to hold the bible. Since my first term when she was here, she has moved to Atlanta and is now an Atlanta voter.
Thank you for your commitment and support as I continue my career in public service.
I am guided through my days by what Mary McLeod Bethune said:
“Faith is the first factor in a life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.”
It is our faith that has sustained us through times of trouble and tragedy.
Let us take a moment to acknowledge those who suffered from the disaster of the Tsunami; our men and women in the military, especially those and their families who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty; and the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
America is a family. We must always help our own, especially when they are in need. That is why it is so important that we aid the victims of Katrina so that they can rebuild their homes, their lives and their cities.
When I took this oath of office four years ago, I did so at a time of cynicism and anxiety for our City. Some were saying we had to look in the past for our vision and our guidance. But today we are not looking backward. Today we are standing together and looking forward – toward the future, building an Atlanta that serves as a beacon to all those communities who work together in partnership for a better future for our people.
Four years ago, I spoke to you of restoring our faith in government, and we hope we have accomplished that. But that is just a start. We now must continue to build a city that is vibrant, alive, and inspiring. However, there are many challenges to overcome. We cannot rest until every child who wants to graduate from high school and go to college has that opportunity.
We cannot rest until every senior citizen can live their lives with security and dignity.
We cannot rest until our water is safe and our air is clean. We cannot rest until the homeless and dispossessed in our society are given the tools they need to rebuild their lives.
We cannot rest until economic opportunity and good jobs are available to all.
And we cannot rest until everyone has the freedom and opportunity to meet their goals and live their dreams.
During my first term, I had four basic goals:
- Create an honest, open and caring city government;
- Build a safer, cleaner city;
- Make city operations more efficient and effective;
- And repair our infrastructure by rebuilding our water and sewer system and expanding Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
We are making progress. Some of our goals have been reached more quickly than others. But we are making substantial progress in all these areas, and we will continue to build a government that our people deserve and expect.
These goals are the foundation of the priorities for my second term.
First, we must focus – like a laser beam – on public education. There is no more important goal than to invest in our children. Last year we visited every high school and every senior class and we challenged the seniors to do three things.
1. Meet with me to discuss their future plans.
2. Stay drug and alcohol free.
3. Obey the law.
Almost 400 seniors of the 2005 class stepped up to the plate and by the grace of God and contributions of this community, we have been able to provide them with summer jobs, educational and work force counseling and over $1 million in scholarships for this academic year. I have already met with 600 seniors in the class of 2006 in preparation for their transition
to college, technical school and the workforce.
Our second priority is improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods
all over Atlanta. To start we filled 12,000 potholes and removed 3,000 steel plates in our streets. Now we are implementing two bond programs exceeding $200 million. We will add new sidewalks, beautify major corridors, make traffic improvements, refurbish recreation centers and parks, and add new green space. So far, nearly 1,200 projects are underway or completed.
Third, we must do more to help the homeless and those in need.
One serious accident, one lost job, a chronically ill child or parent
or some other tragedy can jeopardize an entire working family. This is not in my speech but we also have to provide public facilities.
In providing a record $22 million in bonds matched by private donations, we’re off to an excellent start. These funds will provide housing, support services and emergency help for people who are homeless.
Our fourth priority is to expand economic development and opportunity for all who make Atlanta home. We are implementing the New Century Economic Development Plan, which focuses on creating quality jobs; investing in entrepreneurship and small businesses; marketing our city to visitors; building more affordable housing; and promoting public safety and decreasing crime.
We are also committed to initiatives like the Atlanta Beltline, a public/private partnership that will spur economic growth and new jobs, increase green space, and expand public transportation.
Some say these plans and this vision are too ambitious. But I say no.
To paraphrase Bobby Kennedy, “The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man and woman alike, timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather the future will belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal commitment to ideals and enterprises of American Society.”
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s blend our vision, reason and courage into a better Atlanta. We must make the tough decisions and do what we know is right, and do it with everything that we have.
To our children, let us be a model of courage, integrity, and perseverance.
Let them learn from us the value of diversity and tolerance, how working together, in a spirit of love and equality, we can achieve greatness.
Let us act now, today. Let us seize this moment of promise and commitment
and unity. Let us make our city as good as its people.
Thank you. God bless you and may God continue to bless Atlanta.