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We will now proceed with the induction of the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair appoints Councilwoman Miller, Councilwoman Krajewski, Councilman O'Neill, and Councilman Clarke to escort the Honorable John F. Street, Mayor-elect of the City of Philadelphia, to the rostrum. The Chair also invites Mayor-elect Street's wife, Naomi Post, to join him at the rostrum. May we have an escort.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chief Clerk will read the certificate of electon of the Honorable John F. Street as Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. THE CLERK: John F. Street, at an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected the Mayor of the City and County of Philadelphia, for a term of four years, commencing the first Monday of January, AD 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank you. The Honorable Russell Nigro, Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will administer the oath of office to the Mayor.
JUSTICE NIGRO: I, John F. Street. . .
MAYOR STREET: I, John F. Street. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter.
MAYOR STREET: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter.
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .and that I will discharge. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .and that I will discharge.
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .the duties of my office. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .and I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .as the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .as the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .to the best of my ability. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .to the best of my ability. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .and with fidelity. . .
MAYOR STREET: . . .and with fidelity. . .
JUSTICE NIGRO: . . .so help me God.
MAYOR STREET: . . .so help me God.
(Applause.)
JUSTICE NIGRO: Congratulations.
(Standing ovation.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 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 John F. Street.
(Applause.)
(Standing ovation.)
MAYOR STREET: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Thank you. Thank you so much. At this time I have a surprise announcement to make: I'm having a great day.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: I'm having a great day, and I have no complaints. Before I proceed with my formal remarks, which are prepared -- And they needed to be prepared because you'd be here forever -- I'd like to mention just a couple of folks who are not with us here today that were very special to me. For the first time in my political career, I will not have with me Councilman Thatcher Longstreth.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: COUNCILMAN and Congressman Lou Blackwell.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Civic leader and good friend, entrepreneur, Bill Rouse. They're not here today. (Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: There are others, but in my mind these three men stand out as huge, huge shoes that we have to follow, fill, and really raise the bar on the challenge that we have before us, going into this new term.
I also want to mention a couple of people that are not with us, because they are ill. Carol Campbell is not here. We wish her the best. We know that she's doing her best. But she has just been a wonderful, wonderful source of inspiration, and a huge part of our great Democratic party. And we miss her. And I wanted to mention her at this time.
here are two other people who are not here who may not even have been expected to be here.
They are two police officers who were injured recently in the line of duty, and find themselves hospitalized as a result of their efforts to protect the people of this City.
That's Police Officer Cheryl Butler up in the Temple University Hospital. Cheryl, I know you're out there. I'll be by. I'm checking you out. And then there is Police Officer Ray Plymouth. And Ray is recovering, but his recovery is slow. And I know his mom and his wife are there, along with other members of the family. We want you to know that we will keep you in our prayers and we will be there for you because you represent the very best that this City has and does to protect its citizens. I also want to thank a couple of other people who are here, not the least of which is my cousin Earl, who's 95 years old, who I found out was following this election from day one. Cousin Earl, thank you for coming.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: And then there are a number of other distinguished guests that are here, all the members of the judiciary that are here. We thank them for coming.
The Council President has noted most of them by name, and so I won't repeat all their names. But we really do appreciate the work that our great legislative leaders -- I mean our great judicial leaders do for us, because we as a democracy would be a little less efficient, a little less fair if we didn't have a judicial branch of government to run to to protect our rights and to protect our interests. And so we thank all of them.
Of course, it's a very special thanks to all of the Members of the General Assembly who are here and the other political leadership that's here. I saw our Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Perzel, is here. Thank you, Speaker Perzel.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: We know you have a great responsibility in Harrisburg.
And I was so delighted that two former mayors could show up on a great day like this, Mayor Green and Mayor Goode.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: They may actually be the only two people in this room that know precisely how I feel today.
And it's interesting to note that. . . And I point this out because Mayor Green was the Mayor of this City and got sworn in right here in this City when I got sworn in as a Council Member 24 years ago. And at the time when Mayor Green was sworn into office shortly thereafter, he appointed Mayor Goode his Managing Director, my recollection is, and then the Managing Director became the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia.
And as life would have it, two of the important members of the Green Administration are Cabinet Members in the Street Administration: Phil Goldsmith, our Managing Director and George Burrell, who is our Secretary of External Affairs. (Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: And so you see, in some ways life is a big circle, and that we do depend on the continuity of leadership literally from one generation to the next, from one administration to the next, as we are going to experience the great benefits of this democracy.
And so I thank all of them for coming, and I of course thank all of you for coming because without your support and without your considerable vote on November 4th, I certainly would not be here.
And so, I wanted to congratulate all the elected officials who have taken the oath of office today: The Members of City Council; retention and newly elected judges; the Register of Wills, Ron Donatucci; Sheriff John Green; and Clerk of Quarter Sessions Vivian Miller.
I'm pleased to welcome Councilman Jack Kelly back to the City Council of Philadelphia.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: And I'm pleased to welcome Juan Ramos as a new member of the City Council of Philadelphia.
(Applause and cheers.)
MAYOR STREET: To Council President Anna Verna, you and your Planning Committee deserve a warm round of applause for this spectacular inaugural celebration.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Thank you. Thank you, COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: I also want to congratulate Councilwoman Verna on her reelection as the President of the City Council of Philadelphia, and thank her for serving as a Co-chair of my reelection committee. Thank you, Council President Verna. Thank you.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: For one who has taken perhaps the most improbable route to the Mayor's Office, maybe even in the history of this great City, the opportunity to serve the people of this City and make Philadelphia work for everyone is more than a job. It's a cause, a cause to which I am proud to have devoted most of my professional life.
And I am just as enthusiastic and committed to building a better Philadelphia today as the first day I walked into City Council 24 years ago. I am grateful. . .
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: I am grateful to the person who's going to bring me some water out here, very quickly.
(Laughter.) MAYOR STREET: I don't see any water.
(Laughter.) MAYOR STREET: I am grateful to so many people for this opportunity, but above all I thank the people of Philadelphia who in the general election just passed, assessed the accomplishments of this Administration, the character of its leadership, and decided overwhelmingly to return us to office. I am humbled by your support and confidence.
A special thanks to all the men and women of my Administration for your dedication, commitment and hard work.
Can I just ask all of you to stand up for just a second, all the men and woman who are a part of the Street Administration.
(Members of the Street Administration stand.)
MAYOR STREET: Folks. Give them a
hand.
(Applause.) MAYOR STREET: Thank you.
(Applause.) MAYOR STREET: Thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you.
And I must also thank my incredible wife and partner, Naomi Post Street.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Naomi Post Street. (Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: It was her vision, advocacy, and commitment that drove this Administration on behalf of children, and her public support through the most emotional and stressful campaign of my entire political career, could not have been better. And I'm eternally thankful to her. Naomi, please stand. And thank you so very much.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Last year I learned just how important family, friends, and faith are when one is at the crossroads of life. The experience, however, has made us stronger as individuals and stronger as a family. At this time I think I have a couple of family members right over in that corner over there (Indicating). I'd like to have all of them stand. Where are they? They're over there some place.
(Street family members stand.)
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Some of my family
members.
Let me take a moment to thank the Members of the Philadelphia City Council because Council does a very, very difficult job. And often Council members are the very first point of contact for citizens seeking the assistance of government.
Although much has been said about the relationship between City Council and my Administration, notwithstanding a special moment or two. . .
(Laughter.)
MAYOR STREET: . . .on the whole the
issues most important to the future of our City have found us working together to make strong decisions in the best interests of our City.
And I thank Council President Verna and all the Members of the City Council of Philadelphia for that.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: And over the next four years, I am committed to building an even stronger and more productive relationship.
Together we can grow Philadelphia's reputation as a City of historical importance, cultural significance, and new economy prosperity. However, achieving this 21st Century Philadelphia we talk about will require more than mere cooperation between the Mayor and City Council. Philadelphia is an indispensable part of the economic engine that drives the success of this entire region. It should be painfully obvious that failure to develop a better partnership within the region will compromise our future, a theme embraced by the Select Greater Philadelphia Marketing Campaign announced recently by The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
I thank former Governor Schweiker for being here, our new President of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Governor, thank you for being with us.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: To protect our region and reverse a negative statewide economic trend will require a strong Philadelphia at the core of a strong region, where cooperation among civic and political
leaders becomes the norm, and not the
exception.
This stark reality is the driving force behind the appointment of Nick DeBenedictis, a man intimately familiar with both the City and suburbs, to chair a group of leaders to help make our regional goals a reality.
From the health care industry, to colleges and universities, from the Vanguard family of mutual funds, to Comcast Corporation, some of the greatest resources in America are located right here in this region. Our goal: capitalize on those assets for the mutual benefit of all of us.
America, grounded in a multi-party political system, has fashioned perhaps the greatest participatory democracy the world has ever known.
The give and take of partisan politics, even when it periodically gets a little loud and a little messy, is a small price to pay for democracy. However, our system works best when political leaders foster honest public debate and steer clear of destructive partisan bickering which interferes with our ability to inspire public support and create a great future for our City, our region, and our Commonwealth.
In that spirit, I extend a hand of partnership to Governor Rendell, Speaker Perzel, and our local legislative leaders in Harrisburg.
Though we may have our partisan and sometimes political differences, we are all Philadelphians. And that gives us a special opportunity and a heightened responsibility to work together to accomplish great things for our City.
I also look forward to continuing the productive relationship we have enjoyed with the members of the Philadelphia delegations and The Legislative Black Caucus in Harrisburg. Their support has been invaluable.
The aggressive agenda we intend to pursue for our City and region will require an unprecedented amount of communication, coordination, and commitment.
Political and economic forces, with legitimate and potentially conflicting goals, will need to be respected and reconciled. And I take a measure of responsibility for doing that work. And we have started that job.
Since November I have talked with or have scheduled talks with the editorial boards of most of our newspapers, children's advocates, and neighborhood activists.
I have met with Governor Rendell and Speaker Perzel, Congressman Fattah, Brady and Hoeffel, Mark Schweiker, Dr. Bernard Watson, Amanda Bennett, Zach Stahlberg, Mark Segal, Henry Nicholas, Paul Vallas, Jim Nevels, Bishop Ernie Morris, Pat Eidding, and many, many others.
Those discussions have covered a wide range of issues, including relocating the Barnes Collection, siting the Microsoft
High School, implementing the automobile insurance agreements we negotiated with the state, protecting the rights of the LGBT community, using Keystone Opportunity Investment Zones effectively, and the importance of the faith-based community in our City and region.
And we're not done. My goal is to develop a new and stronger set of partnerships, minimize the impact of a hard-fought municipal election, and create a renewed determination among local and regional leaders, to work in harmony, to advance a new set of regional priorities agreed to us by us all. In my 24 years of public service, I have always attempted to put the well being of our City first. So, let me be clear. Under no circumstances will this government improperly reward political supporters or condone any culture that does not protect the best interests of our people.
In the coming weeks we will underscore that commitment through a new code of ethics that will spell out a higher standard of ethical conduct for all City employees. Judge Ida Chen, of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas will chair this effort.
In addition, several reform steps have begun at the Philadelphia International Airport, the Minority Business Enterprise Council, and in our Inspector General's office, to ensure the highest integrity of this government at every level. But while ensuring. . .
(Applause.).
MAYOR STREET: Thank you.
But while ensuring high ethical standards.
(Clerk brings Mayor Street water.) MAYOR STREET: Thank you so very much.
COUNCILMAN DiCicco, this water tests
better.
(Laughter.)
MAYOR STREET: That's one great water. (Laughter.)
MAYOR STREET: By while ensuring high ethical standards, we will never abandon our goals of expanding opportunities for businesses owned and operated by African Americans, Latinos --
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: -- women, the disabled, and other minorities.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: We will continue to break down the historic and artificial barriers to their doing business. Philadelphia will be better and stronger when the doors to economic opportunity in both the private and public sector are open to everyone. And I will work with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and all the other minority chambers, to make sure that economic diversity prevails in our City.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: In 1991 a nationally recognized renaissance began in Philadelphia. We demonstrated fiscal discipline and created a bustling Center City that has become a magnet for empty nesters, young professionals, and tourists. It was a proud time for all of us.
But I knew then that Philadelphia could not achieve true greatness with a thriving downtown surrounded by dying businesses and neighborhoods. I also understood that years of neglect and decay in neighborhoods could not be reversed without the support of a healthy Center City. Thus, our commitment to turn our attention to neighborhoods, without turning our backs on Center City. Developing 21st Century neighborhoods and schools and a thriving business community will continue to be the focus of this Administration. Families are the hub of our neighborhoods. And protecting and nurturing our children is our moral
imperative. And we do not intend to neglect that responsibility.
We have built a solid record: After School Programs, a Children's Fund from the construction of new stadiums, public education reform, better child care facilities, and a new last dollar scholarship program that will inspire and facilitate higher education for our children. But we must do more.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: In fact, it is our goal to work with children's advocates, Paul Vallas, and the Reform Commission, to have after-school slots available for every elementary school child in the City of Philadelphia by the end of my second term, and to build new public schools --
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: -- and rehab existing schools that will strengthen neighborhoods and provide a first-class environment for teaching and learning. (Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Nothing, absolutely nothing is more important to our future than providing high quality education options for all children in every neighborhood.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Strong public, charter, parochial, and private schools that are anchors in their communities are all essential. In this year that marks the 50th anniversary of Brown_vs._Board_of_Education , let's make a new and -- a new commitment to fulfill the ideals of educational opportunity and achievement envisioned by that great landmark decision.
We will continue to invest in our neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Transformation Initiative will continue to be the vehicle by which we change the prospects of many neighborhoods from blight to bright.
In Philadelphia there are no throwaway neighborhoods or throwaway people, and that includes the men and women trapped in our Philadelphia prison system.
We will continue our war on drugs through the Safe Streets Program and fight crime and violence in every neighborhood.
And a very special emphasis will be placed on curbing the tragic problem of domestic violence and abuse.
(Applause.) AYOR STREET: My time in neighborhoods has reaffirmed for me that regardless of race, ethnic background, or social status, families fundamentally want the same basic things: A quality education for their children, clean and safe neighborhoods with high quality City services. Fulfilling this dream is perhaps my greatest motivation.
We will complement our work in neighborhoods by implementing a strategic plan for Fairmount Park. The park will be better integrated into the City, both as a place for recreation and relaxation, and as a resource that distinguishes Philadelphia from almost every major City in America. It is an important part of our strategy to attract and retain residents and visitors, not just in our City but throughout our region. And finally, we will bring new vision and energy, or as Pattie LaBelle says, a new attitude. . . to our work of growing the Philadelphia economy. this is no time to tread water.
Despite a national recession, our stewardship over the last several years has Philadelphia well positioned to capitalize on an improving economy.
The activity and energy along the Avenue of the Arts, from City Hall to South Street, are great symbols of our progress and our potential.
Now is the time for bold and decisive leadership that propels Philadelphia to the head of the class in the new economy.
During this second term, we will simultaneously cut taxes and invest in our economy, to become more attractive and competitive.
Our tax reduction program which is the envy of most American cities and states will be an integral part of our future economic success.
The recommendations of the Tax Reform Commission will be the foundation for an honest debate about taxes and services. Tax reductions, tax abatements, and tax incentives are important, especially in an environment where the competition for jobs is so fierce.
But they are only part of the formula for economic vitality. We need a rational tax plan that stimulates our economy, protects our ability to deliver the high level of basic services Philadelphians deserve, and which allows us the resources to invest in the future of our City. We will re-double our efforts to grow our hospitality community, expand the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and persuade the Federal Government to spend greater resources marketing American cities.
We will work to bring gaming to Philadelphia in a constructive and appropriate way, while keeping a watchful eye on important developments like Whitman's Plaza, Columbus Commons, Capehart, Brewerytown and the Naval Home.
We will continue to support community development corporations. We will continue to welcome housing developers like Westrum and Toll Brothers, to help the merchants of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal find a new location inside the City, to modernize the City's skyline by building the Cira Center and One Pennsylvania Plaza, and to do all in our power to show companies like Towers Perrin, Aramark, Ace and Cigna just how important they are to our great City.
In addition to the great work regularly done by our economic development professionals, we will focus additional attention and resources on establishing 21st Century communities at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, Schuylkill River Park, along the Delaware River North, and within some strategic NTI neighborhoods. We have magnificent waterfront sites with extraordinary potential to create new centers of activity to compete for investment, new jobs and 21st Century professionals, particularly in the ever expanding knowledge based economy.
The possibilities can be seen in the great strides we have made in reestablishing the Naval Yard as an important resource of economic vitality for our City and region.
This site, which was acquired in the first year of this Administration, today houses 4 million square feet of occupied facilities, with more than 6,000 employees working for a little over 60 companies. The plans for the next phase of this development include a new mixed-use community, fronting on the Delaware River. This breathtaking project would integrate into City life a waterfront that has been isolated for more than 125 years and position Philadelphia at the forefront of waterfront development nationally.
Achieving our vision will require a significant investment of state, local and private funds. The Governor is attempting to address this issue at the state level right now. And within 60 days I intend to announce the creation of an economic development capital fund which will allow us to invest in our most precious physical assets, our waterfront and our newly created NTI opportunities. A significant amount of my time in this second term will be dedicated to establishing the fund, launching each of these projects, and growing our jobs and economy. Our goal is to create a fund of approximately $500 million to leverage billions of dollars of other private and public investment in our economic
infrastructure.
The platform for achieving this ambitious agenda will be a technology-driven 21st century government, one with a new and exciting spirit. The status quote is not acceptable. I have asked Temple University President David Adamany, School Reform Commission member Sandra Dungee Glenn, and attorney Chris Booth to chair distinguished groups of experts to work with us, to find new and more effective ways to perform our day-to-day functions, to analyze and refine our programs, and to evaluate our personnel. I want this City in an all-out sprint into the future. (Applause.).
MAYOR STREET: Our municipal unions must become our best partners in finding constructive ways to effectively deliver services, to control spiraling pension and health care costs, and to help achieve the efficiencies necessary to implement fair contracts for City employees that include the wage increases they so richly deserve.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: We can make the investments I have described today and achieve our vision for a greater Philadelphia within the constraints of balanced, fiscally responsible budgets. We can attract the talent we need to make it happen, and we will not be distracted. Now is the time for all of us to become optimists. Get beyond the roadblocks. Believe that Philadelphia's greatest days are in front of us. Stop protecting selfish priorities. The Avenue of the Arts should not be pitted against Chestnut Street. Neighborhoods should not be fighting Center City. And the suburbs and the City should be partners. Philadelphia is a world-class city.
(Applause.)
MAYOR STREET: Philadelphia is a world-class City. It is the anchor to a world-class region. The ingenuity, expertise, foresight and political will to create an even greater City and an even greater region, resides within us.
All we have to do is believe in ourselves, trust each other, work together, and keep the faith. God bless you.
(Applause.)
(Standing ovation.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Please be seated. Thank you. Again, congratulations, Mr. Mayor.
To celebrate the inauguration of Mayor John Street, the Pine Forge Academy Choir will sing Some Day.
(Singing of Some Day.)
(Applause and cheers.)
(Standing ovation.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Absolutely magnificent. Thank you so much for sharing with us your beautiful voices in that lovely, lovely song. (Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: At this time would the newly elected and retention judges of the Common Pleas Court please rise and take their oath of office.
THE CLERK will read the certificates of election for the retention and newly elected judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
THE CLERK: Philadelphia, November 4, 2003, Office of the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia. Jacqueline F. Allen, Genece E.
Brinkley, Tama Myers Clark, Stephen R.
Geroff, D. Webster Keogh, William J.
Manfredi, Frederica A. Massiah-Jackson, Rayford A. Means, Sandra Mazer Moss, Joseph D. O'Keefe, Albert W. Sheppard, Jr., Carolyn Engel Temin, Allan L. Tereshko, Thomas D. Watkins, you are duly retained in
the Office of Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of Philadelphia County for a ten-year
term, commencing the first Monday of
January, AD 2004.
(Applause.)
THE CLERK: Ramy Isaac Djerassi, Loria A. Dumas, Joseph A. Dych, Leslie Fleisher, Holly J. Ford, Brenda Frazier-Clemons, Joel S. Johnson, Jr., Jeffrey P. Mineheart, Paula A. Patrick, Doris A. Pechkurow, Nina Wright Padilla, at an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County for a ten-year term, commencing the first Monday of January, AD 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank you.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Judge Massiah-Jackson will administer the oath of office.
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: To my colleagues, will each of you put your Bible in your left hand, raise your right hand.
Your other right hand.
(Laughter.)
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON:
I do solemnly swear. . .
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGES: I do solemnly swear. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGES: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Contitution of the United States. . .
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGES: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGES: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGES: . . .and I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Congratulations. (Applause and cheers.)
(Standing ovation.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chair now invites the newly elected judges and retention judges of the Municipal Court of Philadelphia to stand and take the oath of office.
THE CLERK will please read the certificate of election for the newly-elected judges and the retention judges of the Municipal Court of Philadelphia.
THE CLERK: Robert S. Blasi, Frank T. Brady, Gwendolyn A. Conway, Barbara S. Gilbert, Lydia Y. Kirkland, Marsha H. Neifield, Craig M. Washington.
At an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly retained in the Office of the Judge of Municipal Court of Philadelphia County.
Gerard A. Kosinski.
At an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected judge in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia County for a six-year term, commencing the first Monday of January AD 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank you.
The President Judge of Municipal Court, the Honorable Louis J. Presenza will administer the oath of office.
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: It is obviously a pleasure to be here with you.
Okay. Left hand on the Bible. Raise your right hand, please. Kindly state after me. I. . . State your name.
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: I (Individual names stated). . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
UNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .do solemnly swear. . . PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .and that I will discharge. . .
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .and that I will discharge. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .the duties of my office. . .
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .and I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .with fidelity. MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES: . . .with
fidelity.
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA:
Congratulations.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chair now invites the newly elected judge and retention judges of the Traffic Court of Philadelphia County to rise and take the oath of office.
The Chief Clerk will please read the certificate of election for the Judges of Traffic Court.
THE CLERK: Philadelphia, November 4, 2003, Office of the Judge of Traffic Court of Philadelphia County. Bernice Ann DeAngelis, Joseph A. Howlett, Francis E. Kelly, Fortunato N. Perry, Sr. You are duly retained in the Office of Judge of Traffic Court of Philadelphia County for a six-year term, commencing the first Monday of January AD 2004.
Earlene Green Clark, at an election held November 4
(Applause.)
THE CLERK: -- 2003, you were duly elected Judge of the Traffic Court of Philadelphia County for a six-year term, commencing the first Monday of January AD 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The oath of office will be administered by the Honorable Francis E. Kelly, PPRESIDENT JUDGE of Traffic Court. PPRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: Thank you, Madam President.
Please place your Bible in your left hand, raise your right hand.
I. . . State your name.
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: I. . . (Individual names stated). . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: . . .and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. . .
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: . . .and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: . . .with fidelity.
TRAFFIC COURT JUDGES: . . .with fidelity.
PRESIDENT JUDGE KELLY: Congratulations.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chair now recognizes the three City Commissioners, Margaret T. Tartaglione.
(Applause and cheers.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Edgar
Howard. Please approach the podium. Edward -- Edward. Edgar A. Howard, Jr.
(Applause and cheers.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Got it. And Joseph J. Duda.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: I definitely want to give special acknowledgment to Senator Tina Tartaglione.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: She had to receive a special pass from Magee Rehabilitation Center to be here. And Senator, we wish you continued good health. And I'm sure it won't be very long before you will be standing side by side with your mother. God bless you.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chief Clerk will read the certificates of election for the City Commissioners.
THE CLERK: Margaret T. Tartaglione, Edgar A. Howard and Joseph J. Duda, at an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected City Commissioners for the City and County of Philadelphia, for a term of four years, commencing the first Monday of January AD 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson will administer the oath of office.
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: I do solemnly swear. . .
CITY COMMISSIONERS: I do solemnly swear. . . PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
CITY COMMISSIONERS: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
CITY COMMISSIONERS: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . CITY COMMISSIONERS: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
CITY COMMISSIONERS: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . . CITY COMMISSIONERS: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .with fidelity.
CITY COMMISSIONERS: . . .with fidelity.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chair invites the Sheriff of Philadelphia, John D. Green, to the podium to take the oath of office.
(Applause and cheers.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: THE CLERK will please read the certificate of election for the City of Philadelphia.
THE CLERK: At an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected Sheriff of the City and County of Philadelphia, for a term of four years, commencing the first Monday of January, 2004. COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson will administer the oath of office.
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: I do solemnly swear. . .
SHERIFF GREEN: I do solemnly swear. . . PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
SHERIFF GREEN: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
SHERIFF GREEN: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . SHERIFF GREEN: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
SHERIFF GREEN: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . . SHERIFF GREEN: . . and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .with fidelity.
SHERIFF GREEN: . . .with fidelity.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chair now invites Ronald R. Donatucci, Register of Wills, to stand to the podium to take his oath of office. The Chief Clerk will please read the certificate of election for the Register of Wills.
THE CLERK: At an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected Register of Wills for the City and County of Philadelphia, for a term of four years, commencing the first Monday of January, AD
2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank you. The Honorable Louis J. Presenza will administer the oath of office.
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: It's an honor and pleasure, my dear friend, to be here with you today. MR. DONATUCCI: My pleasure.
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: Repeat after me. I, Ronald R. Donatucci. . .
R. DONATUCCI: I, Ronald R. Donatucci. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
MR. DONATUCCI: . . .do solemnly swear. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
MR. DONATUCCI: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
MR. DONATUCCI: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . MR. DONATUCCI: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
MR. DONATUCCI: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .and that I will discharge. . .
R. DONATUCCI: . . .and that I will discharge. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .the duties of my office. . .
R. DONATUCCI: . . .the duties of my office. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: . . .with fidelity. MR. DONATUCCI: . . .with fidelity. PPRESIDENT JUDGE PRESENZA: Congratulations. MR. DONATUCCI: Thank you.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Chair now invites Vivian T. Miller, Clerk of Quarter Sessions Court, to the podium to take her oath of office.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Clerk will please read the certificate of election for The Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions.
THE CLERK: Vivian T. Miller, at an election held November 4, 2003, you were duly elected Clerk of the Quarter Sessions for Philadelphia County, for a term of four years, commencing the first Monday of January 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson will administer the oath of office.
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: I
do solemnly swear. . . MS. MILLER: I do solemnly swear. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .that I will support, obey, and defend. . .
MS. MILLER: . . .that I will support,
obey, and defend. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
MS. MILLER: . . .the Constitution of the United States. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . . MS. MILLER: . . .the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
MS. MILLER: . . .and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. . .
PRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . . MS. MILLER: . . .and that I will discharge the duties of my office. . .
PPRESIDENT JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON: . . .with fidelity.
MS. MILLER: . . .with fidelity.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: For our final music selection today, pianist Mateo Ramon Jimenez will perform Amazing Grace. Mateo is a 13-year-old student at Gam, extremely talented, and I know that you're going to truly enjoy his music. Thank you. (Amazing Grace performed.)
(Extended applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Congratulations. At this time I would like to thank Blanche Burton Blyles for the coordination of today's musical selections. I would also certainly like to acknowledge and thank the Chairman of our Inauguration Committee, the Honorable Robert Brady. Thank you so much.
(Applause and cheers.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: At this time, kindly stand for a prayer to be delivered by Rabbi Solomon Isaacson. Following the benediction, I ask you to be seated for the conclusion of the session. Thank you very much. Rabbi.
RABBI ISAACSON: That's a tough act to follow. But if anything, that should help us in our resolve to do exactly what the Mayor has said. That is, that our future is in our hands, to do what we can to help the youth of this City.
And Mr. Jimenez portrayed what a youth that is led in the right way with the proper guidance and leadership can do. And our City, with the proper guidance and leadership of our beloved Mayor, the City Council, our elected officials in Harrisburg and in Washington can help us to lead us, as our beloved Mayor said, into the 21st Century as being the number one City in the country. I was so listening to everybody here. The judges asked everybody to raise
their hands.
I'd like to ask everybody to raise your right hand. You don't have any Bibles in front of you, and you're not elected to anything, officially.
But I'm going to tell you something. I will appoint you and elect you. And I will tell you right now you've all won the selection unanimously, by the vote of one.
And I'm not speaking of myself. I'm speaking of the Almighty God. We raise our right hand to make a commitment to the Almighty.
As our elected officials made a commitment to the Commonwealth, and to our City, and to its citizens, we have to make a commitment to our Almighty that we will be better human beings. If any of us can look at people that would turn around and say, if I only had a second chance. Well, ladies and gentlemen, each one of us every morning when we get up, God gives us a second chance.
(Applause.)
RABBI ISAACSON: Every day of our life that we are able to hug our children and kiss our parents, God gives us a second chance. Every day that we can do good deeds, God gives us a second chance. We just have to take advantage of these so many second chances.
So let us take this. . . not an oath, but let us try to make a commitment that we will be better: Better human beings, better citizens, better parents, better children.
Let us make a commitment that we will all share together, brothers and sisters, with all races and religions. We will share together one thought, one mind, that united we stand, divided we fall. The only way this City can stand and to be able to stand the pressure of its future is if we all are united, looking forward, to be able to achieve and accomplish. And we do this with brotherhood, through love, through respect and honor.
May you grant salvation to kings and dominions, to rulers whose kingdom is a kingdom spanning all eternities, who places a road in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters.
May He bless, safeguard, preserve, help, exalt, make great, extol and raise high our beloved Mayor, our City Council people, and all the elected officials of this great City of ours.
The King who reigns over kings, in his mercy may he sustain them and protect them from every trouble, woe and injury. May he rescue them. May He gather peoples under their sway and cause their enemies to fall before them. Wherever they turn, may they succeed.
The King who reigns over kings, in His mercy may he put into their heart and into the heart of all of their counselors and officials compassion to the good for all of us in our fair City.
In their days and in our days, when we all be saved, may we all dwell securely. May the Lord in heaven be with us and bless us for eternity.
Amen.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Amen.
RABBI ISAACSON: Now I would just like to take the liberty to convey a personal blessing onto the Mayor, as I did the Governor at his inauguration. Mr. Mayor, if you don't mind. I also brought you that red string from Israel.
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Oh, you want it
now?
RABBI ISAACSON: That's all right. The left hand. Well, it should go on the right, but since the Mayor is left-handed. . .
(Laughter.)
RABBI ISAACSON: Okay. All right. With God's help, you can have three. Madam President, was this part of the program? But anyway, I apologize. See, you didn't know when you elected him, you elected a Rabbi also.
(Laughter.)
RABBI ISAACSON: I want to make sure your Rabbi stays on here. There you go. Okay.
(Applause.)
RABBI ISAACSON: By the way, this red string is from Bethlehem and from Jerusalem, so this is not just any kind of red string.
And it circles the tomb of Rachel seven times. It's considered to bless an individual, protect him from evil, and to give him success in the Mayor's Office. That's the special Mayor's Office. (Prayer in Yiddish.)
RABBI ISAACSON: May God bless you and protect you.
(Prayer continues in Yiddish.)
RABBI ISAACSON: May God shine his countenance upon you and upon all the citizens of our fair City.
(Prayer continues in Yiddish.)
RABBI ISAACSON: May God grant peace and success to all of us, and peace unto the whole world, and may He quickly bring all our soldiers home safely.
Amen.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Amen.
(Applause.)
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank you. Thank you, Rabbi Isaacson, for your inspiring words, and certainly for your blessing upon the Mayor.
I would ask that the visitors and guests kindly be seated.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, January 22, at 10 a.m.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
COUNCILWOMAN KRAJEWSKI: Madam President, I second the motion.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: It has been moved and properly seconded that the Council stand adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2004.
All in favor, let it be known by saying "aye."
(Chorus of "ayes.")
COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those opposed "nay."
The ayes have it, and Council stands adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2004.
Thank you all so very much. I hope you enjoyed the program. (Ceremonies concluded at 12:35 p.m.)
CERTIFICATE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the Investiture of City Council; Organization of City Council; the Inauguration of Honorable John F. Street, Mayor; Investiture of Members of the Judiciary, Clerk of Quarter Sessions Court, City Commissioners, Register of Wills, Sheriff, and Judges of Traffic Court, taken on January 5, 2004, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same.
DAVID A. DEIK, RPR and Commissioner of Deeds
Body
End