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2016 Oath of Office Speech

January 11, 2016
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
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I want to thank everybody for coming today.

I especially want to thank my two predecessors, Mayor Frederick and Mayor Hood, who laid the foundation for so many of the transformational accomplishments we have achieved over the last decade, including this very special venue.

This is the fifth time that I have had the privilege of taking the oath as Mayor of Orlando. Every time, someone inevitably asks, is today your favorite day as Mayor.

Today IS one of my favorite days. But the best days to be Mayor are days like last Tuesday, when we started the demolition of some long-time dilapidated apartments that will transform the West Lakes neighborhood with new mixed-income housing.

Or getting the opportunity to speak with residents as they experience the Amway Center, the Citrus Bowl or the Dr. Phillips Center for the very first time.

Or when we celebrate our diversity, our equality and our fairness like last January when I helped marry 44 couples on the steps of City Hall.

Or when we cut the ribbon on a new business celebrating entrepreneurs fulfilling their dreams.

Or when hundreds of people unite in our effort to end homelessness by combing the streets to identify our homeless veterans. Which oh by the way, our community can now say virtually all of the region’s chronically homeless veterans are now in housing.

As Mayor, what makes me most proud, is that here in Orlando, for us, our best days are when we come together as residents, business, not for profits and governments to realize projects and initiatives that are shaping the future of our City.

I am inspired because I know that Orlando’s best days are still ahead of us … and that’s why you’ve heard me say time and time again that I am as passionate today as when I first took office … and I know that you are too.

That’s why together we will continue the transformation of our City by:

Leading the Southeast as the most sustainable City
Making it easier to get around by expanding our transportation options like SunRail to LYMMO
Uplifting our residents by ending homelessness and providing safe and affordable housing
Creating jobs for everyone in places like our Main Streets, Creative Village and Medical City at Lake Nona
Investing in the latest technology to provide both internal efficiencies and better municipal services to our residents
Fulfilling the vision of Project DTO by enhancing our sports, entertainment and arts offerings Downtown
And ensuring our neighborhoods remain safe and vibrant places

With this momentum, Orlando is a beacon of opportunity where businesses choose to locate and people from around the globe want to call home.

This isn’t a journey I have taken alone. Each and every accomplishment is due to the leadership, commitment and dedication of this City Council. Because of your work we have been able to celebrate our City’s accomplishments together. I couldn’t have picked better partners.

Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Ortiz, Commissioner Stuart, Commissioner Sheehan, Commissioner Hill and Commissioner Ings. Thank you.

While as elected officials we get to represent the City, our City employees work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that we are able to make our vision a reality while maintaining the best-in-class municipal services. Thank you for always meeting and exceeding our high expectations.

But to get to where we are, it takes more than just City government.

It takes a culture of collaboration and partnerships. And I want to thank each and everyone of you. Our business community, our Civic and faith-based organizations, our non-profit and arts community, our universities and educational institutions, Mayor Jacobs and our partners at Orange County, our regional partners in Osceola, Seminole and Volusia County. Thank you.

I want to thank my family, for their love and support on this journey.

And thank you to the residents of Orlando for entrusting me to serve for another four years. I’m proud to be Mayor of Orlando, the best City in America. I am Orlando Proud!

Thank you.
God bless the City of Orlando
And God bless America.