[2024 Inauguration Ceremony for Mayor Elect John Whitmire and City Council]
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LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME OUR MASTER OF CEREMONIES, CAMBRI MARSHALL.
GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY CONDUCTED BY GONZALO FOR US, FOR PROVIDING US WITH THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AS WE ARRIVED THIS MORNING.
BEST SYMPHONY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
ISN'T THIS A GREAT DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON? THE BEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? ABSOLUTELY.
I AM HONORED AFTER THREE WEEKS OF RETIREMENT TO BE ASKED TO COME BACK AND BE A PART OF THIS EVENT BY MAYOR WHITMEYER.
THANK YOU MAYOR FOR ASKING ME TO BE A PART OF THIS EVENT.
THE HONEY DO LIST THAT THE HOUSE WAS WAY TOO LONG.
WE'RE HERE TO HONOR AND MEET AND INTRODUCE THE 2024 CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS.
PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE THE HONORABLE AMY PECK, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT A ACCOMPANIED BY HER FIANCE, DR. JORDAN FINE, THE HONORABLE TARSHA JACKSON, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT B, ACCOMPANIED BY HER SON MARCELLUS HINES, THE HONORABLE ABBY CAYMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT C, ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND, MR. MATTHEW HANSEL AND A LITTLE ONE, THE HONORABLE CAROL AND EVAN CHAZZ, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT D, ACCOMPANIED BY HER BROTHER, MR. EDWARD B. EVANS III, THE HONORABLE COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT, DISTRICT E FRED FLICKINGER, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, MS. LESLIE FLICKINGER, THE HONORABLE TIFFANY D. THOMAS, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT F ACCOMPANIED BY HER FATHER, MR. WILBERT THOMAS III, THE HONORABLE MARY NAN HUFFMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT G ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND, MR. ELI HUFFMAN II AND CHILDREN ELI AND HAYES, THE HONORABLE MARIO CASTILLO, COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT, DISTRICT H, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS HUSBAND, MR. JOEL WILIER, THE HONORABLE JOAQUIN MARTINEZ COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT DISTRICT.
I ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, MS. MYRA MARTINEZ AND CHILDREN JOAQUIN JULIAN LUCAS AND KALINA,
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THE HONORABLE EDWARD POLLARD, COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT J ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, MS. VANESSA POLLARD AND SON EJ, THE HONORABLE JULIAN RAMIREZ, COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT AT LARGE POSITION ONE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, CAROLYN DOZIER, THE HONORABLE MARTHA CASTEX TATUM COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT K ACCOMPANIED BY HER SON, MR. JACOB PAUL TATUM, THE HONORABLE WILLIE R. DAVIS COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT AT LARGE POSITION TWO.ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GRANDSON, MR. CARRINGTON DAVIS SHAW, THE HONORABLE TWILA CARTER COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT AT LARGE POSITION THREE.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR. STEVE GIN, THE HONORABLE DR.
LETICIA PLUMMER, COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE POSITION FOUR, ACCOMPANIED BY HER FATHER, DR.
THE HONORABLE SALLY ALCORN, COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE POSITION FIVE.
ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND, MR. GEORGE ALCORE, THE HONORABLE CITY CONTROLLER ELECT.
CHRISTOPHER GEORGE HOLLANDS, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE MORGAN UPSHAW HOLLANDS AND CHILDREN VIVIAN AND GEORGE.
UH, GEORGE OBVIOUSLY HAS A MIND OF HIS OWN AND THE HONORABLE JOHN WHITMEYER MAYOR, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS DAUGHTERS, MS. WHITNEY AND SARAH WHITMEYER.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR SEAT, PLEASE STAND
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PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF THE ALLEGIANCE I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN INVISIBLE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.THANK YOU TO OUR JOINT HONOR GUARD OR DYLAN ZONG, EILEEN PEREZ AND THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY OR ORCHESTRA FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL RENDITION OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING HERE ON OUR STAGE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SUPPORTING THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME HOUSTON'S FORMER MAYORS AND FIRST LADIES, BEGINNING WITH THE HONORABLE SYLVESTER TURNER AND HIS FIRST DAUGHTER ASHLEY, THE HONORABLE ANISE PARKER, AND FORMER FIRST LADY KATHY HUBBARD, FORMER FIRST LADY, MRS. ELISE LANIER AND FORMER FIRST LADY FRANCIS BROWN.
NOW I'D ASK YOU TO PLEASE WELCOME REVEREND MICHAEL GOT MINISTER OF THE UNITY OF HOUSTON TO OFFER THE INAUGURAL BLESSING.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR WHITMEYER IS ASKED THAT THIS INVOCATION BE A BRIEF MEDITATION AND A BLESSING HONORING THE RICH, SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY OF OUR GREAT CITY.
SO IN THAT SPIRIT, WOULD YOU TURN WITHIN AND JUST BECOME AWARE OF THE BREATH THAT AS IT LEAVES AND ENTERS OUR BODY, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD TO KEEP US LIVING, THRIVING.
AND WHEN WE FOCUS ON THAT BREATH, WE ARE PRESENT.
WE ARE HERE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SACRED MOMENT.
I WOULD ASK US NOW TO CALL TO MIND OUR, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OUR HOME, OUR PART OF THIS GREAT CITY OF HOUSTON, SEEING OUR OWN HOME AND THOSE HOMES AROUND US AND CALL TO MIND OUR NEIGHBORS, SOME OF WHOM WHO WE MAY BE VERY CLOSE TO, FRIENDS OF LONGSTANDING FAMILY
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AND MAYBE OTHERS WHO WE KNOW A LITTLE MAYBE BY NAME OR BY SIGHT.WE DON'T KNOW IT ALL, BUT IN THIS MOMENT WE OFFER THEM A BLESSING OF LOVING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION OF SUPPORT.
AND NOW I INVITE US TO EXPAND OUR PERSPECTIVE, TO TAKE IN THIS WHOLE WONDERFUL, LARGE, VIBRANT CITY OF HOUSTON, WHICH IS REALLY A NEIGHBORHOOD OF NEIGHBORHOODS FILLED WITH PEOPLE MOST OF WHOM WE DO NOT KNOW.
MANY OF THEM MAY NOT LOOK LIKE US OR PRAY LIKE US OR WORSHIP LIKE US OR LOVE LIKE US OR SPEAK LIKE US.
AND YET THEY ARE OUR NEIGHBOR.
AND SO AGAIN, WE OFFER OUR BLESSING TO ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS IN THIS GREAT CITY BLESSING OF LOVING KINDNESS, COMPASSION, AND SUPPORT.
AND NOW WE BRING OUR ATTENTION TO THIS STAGE, TO THESE OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS OF OUR CITY.
AND HERE I ASK GOD'S BLESSING, BE UPON THEM, A BLESSING OF WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT, A BLESSING OF POSSIBILITY THINKING THAT THEIR INTUITIVE MINDS ARE OPEN TO SOLUTIONS, TO THE PROBLEMS WE FACE TOGETHER, THAT GOD, THROUGH YOUR GUIDANCE, THIS MAY BE THE DAWN OF A GREAT NEW AGE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
SO NOT ONLY DO WE ASK GOD'S BLESSING UPON THEM, BUT WE OFFER OUR OWN PARAPHRASING THAT FAMOUS SAYING BY PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY.
WE ASK NOT WHAT OUR LEADERS CAN DO FOR US, BUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT OUR LEADERS FOR OUR CITY.
WHAT A JOY AND HONOR IT IS IN THIS MOMENT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE A PART OF SOMETHING GREAT, SOMETHING MAGNIFICENT.
WE ARE HERE AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER AND WE DO THIS TOGETHER.
AND SO AGAIN, GOD, WE ASK YOUR BLESSING BE UPON ALL OF US NEIGHBORS, CITIZENS OF THIS CITY.
MAY WE BE MINDFUL OF ONE ANOTHER, HONORING AND RESPECTING OUR DIFFERENCES.
MAY WE REMEMBER THAT THOUGH WE ARE MANY, WE ARE ONE, ONE PEOPLE, ALL CITIZENS OF HOUSTON.
AND MAY WE ALSO REMEMBER AND BE MINDFUL THAT THOUGH WE EACH WALK OUR LIVES OF THE PATH OF LIFE BECOMING AN UNFOLDING ALONE INDIVIDUALLY AND YET WITH OUR COMMON BOND OF HUMANITY AND OUR COMMON CONNECTION TO YOU, GOD, WE NEVER, EVER WALK ALONE.
DON'T HEAD OF THE STORE IS A GOLDEN SKY AND THE WIND WALK ON THROUGH THE
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AFRAID AND WOW.THANK YOU REVEREND GOD FOR THOSE INSPIRING WORDS AND TO KENNETH GALE FOR THAT INSPIRING RENDITION OF YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE WITH THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY.
A MOMENT IN TIME FOR THIS INAUGURATION.
PLEASE WELCOME NOW THE HONORABLE VICTOR TREVINO III, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT SIX PLACE ONE.
HE WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE HONORABLE MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER AND FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND FOR THE HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER GEORGE HOLLANDS CITY CONTROLLER ELECT.
PLEASE JOIN ME WITH THE PODIUM.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I JOHN WHITMEYER, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, CITY OF HOUSTON, OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE.
CONGRATULATIONS, MR. CITY CONTROLLER, YOU AND YOUR WIFE.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I CHRISTOPHER GEORGE HOLLANDS.
I CHRISTOPHER GEORGE HOLLANDS.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE
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DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY CONTROLLER, THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY, CONTROLLER OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER.
NOW TO SWEAR IN OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MEMBERS, IF YOU'LL JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM, YOU KNOW, COMING FROM BOTH SIDES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL THANKFULLY EXECUTE, THAT I'LL THANKFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL.
THE DUTIES HAVE THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE, OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE.
CONGRATULATIONS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME THE 63RD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE HONORABLE JOHN WHITMEYER.
AND IF I CAN MANAGE THE CITY HALF AS WELL AS WE PUT AS I PICKED OUT THE PROGRAM TODAY, WE'LL BE IN GREAT SHAPE.
THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO SHOW THAT AMAZING DIVERSITY AND TALENT OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND WHERE ELSE IN AMERICA WOULD YOU HAVE A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE THE PEOPLE'S COURT SWEAR IN THE MAYOR OF THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY, IT'S NORMALLY FEDERAL JUDGE TREVINO COMES FROM A LONG LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS, WHICH HAVE HELPED MAKE THIS THE GREAT CITY THAT IT IS.
YOU KNOW, EVERYONE SHOULD BE SMILING THIS MORNING 'CAUSE THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON ARE SMILING BECAUSE THEY'VE ELECTED A MAYOR THAT'S GONNA LISTEN TO THEM.
A MAYOR THAT IS A, THAT IS ONE THAT'S KNOWN FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS AND THAT'S WHY IT'S EXCITING TO BE HERE TODAY.
I HAVE INDIVIDUALS I'D LIKE TO THANK.
I COULD USE ALL MY ALLOTTED TIME IF I WENT THROUGH THE LIST THAT I SH WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE HOUSTONIANS THAT HAVE BEEN SO NICE AND GENEROUS TO ME ACROSS HOUSTON DURING THE CAMPAIGN.
THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE HERE TODAY, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OUR CITY CONTROLLER FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS.
I KNOW THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU GIVE, WHAT IT DOES TO YOUR FAMILY, BUT I APPLAUD YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE OUR DIVERSITY ON COUNCIL AND WE'RE GONNA COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
THE ONLY REASON I RAN WAS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THAT'S THE REASON I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO MAKE THIS GREAT CITY GREATER.
AND OBVIOUSLY I MUST THANK MY TWO DAUGHTERS.
THEY HAVE BEEN REARED BY THEIR MOTHER AND A FATHER THAT'S BEEN IN PUBLIC OFFICE THEIR WHOLE LIFE, NOT THEIR ADULT LIFE SINCE THEY WERE BORN.
IT'S BEEN SUCH A BLESSING AND I'VE GOT MORE PLAQUES AND AWARDS THAN I CAN PLACE ON A WALL.
BUT MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS TWO PRODUCTIVE YOUNG
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LADIES THAT ARE MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS ON THEIR OWN.SO PROUD DURING THE CAMPAIGN AT CAMPAIGN FORUMS. I'D GET VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT MY LOVE FOR THIS CITY.
WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL HERE, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING CONSTITUENTS HERE FOR 51 YEARS.
I'D GET VERY PASSIONATE AND I WOULD SAY I CAN'T WAIT.
I WISH I COULD GO TO WORK IN THE MORNING.
WELL LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S MORNING TIME, SO LET'S GET STARTED.
WE HAVE A GREAT CITY AND GREAT PEOPLE.
I CAN SPEND THE WHOLE PROGRAM TALKING ABOUT OUR GREATNESS.
THE NATION WILL BE COMING HERE NEXT WEEK FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
THEY'LL TALK ABOUT OUR GREAT MED CENTER, OUR PORT, OUR SPACE PORT, OUR SPORTS TEAMS, AND THEN THEY'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT OUR PEOPLE.
WE'RE RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE AS THE MOST DIVERSE CITY PROBABLY IN THE WORLD.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL SO PROUD OF.
I DO WANT US TO PRACTICE THAT DIVERSITY AS MICHAEL GOT SAYING, WE ARE ALL ONE.
WE HAVE OUR UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR NATIONS OF ORIGIN, OUR CUSTOMS, OUR RELIGIONS, OUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
BUT I PRESENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE CITY AS ONE.
WHEN I WAS APPROACHED BY HOUSTONIANS TO RUN FOR MAYOR, THEY SAID, WHITMEYER, YOU CAN UNITE THIS CITY.
AND THAT'S WHAT I INTEND TO DO.
NOW LIKE, LIKE MOST MAJOR CITIES, WE HAVE OUR CHALLENGES.
I COULD SPEND THE MORNING LISTING THEM, PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE, CITY SERVICES THAT COULD BE BETTER CITY FINANCES THAT WE CAN NO LONGER KICK DOWN THE ROAD TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS ISSUE.
WHEN YOU LEAVE OUTTA THIS BEAUTIFUL BUILDING, GO A BLOCK, TURN RIGHT, GO A BLOCK AND YOU'LL SEE HOMELESS.
THE CITY'S DONE A GOOD JOB, BUT WE MUST DO BETTER.
THE HOMELESS DESERVE OUR ATTENTION.
AND THE HOUSTONIANS DO NOT WANT REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE HOMELESS.
IT INVOLVES CRIMINAL JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PRIORITIZE IT.
IT'S A GOAL OF HOUSTONIANS TO OWN A HOME.
WE CANNOT WASTE OUR RESOURCES AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
I APPLAUD OUR JUSTICES OF THE PEACE THAT WHO IN THE COUNTY WHO NOW ARE HELPING FOLKS HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION BEFORE THEY'RE EVICTED.
I COULD GO ON ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'VE GOTTA PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY, WHICH WE WILL.
I'M ALREADY IN DISCUSSION WITH COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK IN THEIR PRECINCT AND SHARE THE COST FOR CITY STREETS.
WE ALSO MUST, WE MUST DO MORE WITH METRO.
ASK METRO TO PARTNER WITH US TO IMPROVE THE STREETS THAT THEIR BUSES TEAR UP.
THERE ARE JUST SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO.
BUT MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN THE PRIORITY OF HOUSTONIANS IS PUBLIC SAFETY.
IF WE DO NOT ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY, THE OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES WILL NOT MATTER.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT AS I TRAVEL THIS CITY, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED AND THE FIRST SOLUTION TO SOLVING A PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE ONE.
AND I KNOW WHAT THE STATS SAY.
I KNOW THEY'RE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FROM LAST YEAR.
BUT ONE YEAR STATS DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE FULLNESS OF THE PROBLEM.
OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS ON THE STREET, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
BUT I'LL COMMIT MYSELF TO RECRUITING OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
WE HAVE OFFICERS IN AUSTIN AND SEATTLE THAT ARE CONTACTING ME, WILLING TO TRANSFER TO HOUSTON.
WE'VE GOTTA MAKE HPD OPEN ITS DOORS TO OTHER OFFICERS FROM OTHER AGENCIES.
WE MAKE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO JOIN HPD.
WE HAVE CADETS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A REVOLVER.
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REVOLVER COSTS A THOUSAND DOLLARS.AFTER WE RECRUIT SOMEONE, THEY MOVE TO HOUSTON.
THEY HAVE TO GO FINANCE IT TO POLICE CREDIT UNION.
HOW TO PAY FOR THAT A THOUSAND DOLLARS REVOLVER.
THAT'S THEIR INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT.
I WILL GIVE THE POLICE FOUNDATION, DON SANDERS AND OTHERS TO GIVE 'EM THEIR REVOLVER.
LET PEOPLE WANT TO BE FIRST RESPONDERS.
AND PUBLIC SAFETY ALSO MEANS FIREMEN.
I WILL MEET WITH A FARMER TOMORROW TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS TO GET THEM AND THE CITY OUT OF COURT.
IT CAN BE DONE, IT MUST BE DONE.
YOU DO NOT SUE YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS IN JOHN WHITTIER'S ADMINISTRATION.
THE BACKLOG IS BEING REDUCED, BUT THIS MORNING THERE ARE 1900 PEOPLE WAITING TO GO TO COURT FOR MURDER OR CAPITAL MURDER CHARGES TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE OR TO BE FOUND INNOCENT.
THE PROBLEM IS MEMBERS, HALF OF THEM ARE EITHER ON BOND OR FUGITIVES.
900 ARE ON THE STREET OF HOUSTON.
THAT'S A SMALL GROUP THAT IS RAISING HAVOC THAT YOU SEE ON THE 10 O'CLOCK NEWS.
WE GOTTA HAVE RELIABLE GARBAGE PICKED UP.
MINE'S BEEN IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE FOR A WEEK I THOUGHT.
GREAT CITIES DO NOT HAVE THOSE ISSUES.
AND WE'RE NOT GONNA KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
WE'RE GONNA HANDLE THE FINANCES.
WE'RE GONNA REACH ACROSS THE AISLE.
WE'RE GONNA BE VERY CREATIVE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY.
WE'RE GONNA REACH ACROSS THE AISLE.
HOUSTON CAN GET GREATER RESOURCES OUTTA THE LAND COMMISSIONER OFFICE.
UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, BECAUSE DON BUCKINGHAM, A FORMER SENATE COLLEAGUE HAS ALREADY SAID, LET'S SIT DOWN AND IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS.
COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.
BUT I WANNA REMIND THE COUNTY THAT WE'RE IN HARRIS COUNTY THIS MORNING, THE OLD MODEL FOR COUNTY SERVICES AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISTORTED THE CITY LIMITS OF HOUSTON IS BACKDATED TO SQUATTY LINES DAYS.
IF ANY OF Y'ALL REMEMBER SQUATTY LINES,
SO BACK TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THE FIRST THING I DID AFTER I WAS SWORN IN AT 1201 'CAUSE I DIDN'T WANNA WASTE ANY TIME, WAS RIDE WITH CHIEF NER.
I WANTED OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO KNOW THAT I CARED AND THAT HOUSTONIANS CARED THAT I WAS REPRESENTING HOUSTONIANS TO SAY THANK YOU FIRST RESPONDERS FOR PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE.
THEY ARE ALREADY IMPROVING THEIR PRODUCTION.
THEY'RE ALREADY, YOU CAN SEE IT IN THEIR EYES.
THEY WANNA WORK FOR MAYOR WHITMEYER AND HOUSTON WILL BENEFIT FROM THAT.
WHEN I'D MAKE A CALL WITH CHIEF FINN FIREFIGHTERS, WERE THERE.
AND DON'T FORGET OUR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.
MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES WHO KEEP OUR OFFICE IS GOING BACK TO PUBLIC SAFETY COLLABORATION.
WE HAVE 80 PLUS AGENCIES IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THEY DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER.
THEY CAN'T EVEN TALK TO EACH OTHER ON POLICE RADIOS.
SO CHIEF NER IS ALREADY SHOWING LEADERSHIP THAT I RESPECT AND LIKE AND ENCOURAGE.
THURSDAY MORNING AT 10 O'CLOCK, HE'S ALREADY HAVING A MEETING AND HE AND I WILL MEET WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO DIVIDE THE CITY AND SEE THAT NO COMMUNITY IS GOING UNPROTECTED.
THAT'S WHAT LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT.
AND THAT'S WHAT I AND THIS COUNCIL WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU.
WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF HOUSTONIANS.
EVERYWHERE I GO NOW PEOPLE SAY, HOW CAN I HELP YOU? YOU CAN HELP US BY SUPPORTING US, GIVING US YOUR IDEAS.
I WANNA LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON.
I WILL BE IN THE FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL TODAY AT TWO O'CLOCK TO MEET AND GREET, LISTEN AND LEARN WHAT PEOPLE'S CONCERNS ARE.
ONE OF 'EM THIS MORNING ACTUALLY CALLED MY SON-IN-LAW, CITY OF HOUSTON, AS A COURTESY, TOLD HIM THAT HE USED FOUR TIMES AS MUCH WATER IN DECEMBER AS HE DID IN NOVEMBER.
THEY JUST WANT HIM TO KNOW HE IS GOT A THOUSAND DOLLARS WATER BILL.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO GO.
FLOODING THAT COMES UNDER INFRASTRUCTURE.
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FOR HARVEY HAVING SUFFICIENT FIRST RESPONDERS, RECOVERIES, C ARER, AND OTHER PEOPLE IN PLACE.BUT I WANT TO ADDRESS WITH COUNCIL THE DRAINAGE BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN THE MAIN MAINTENANCE TO DRAINAGE.
YOU KNOW WHAT THOROUGHFARES, YOU CAN'T TRAVEL.
THAT HAS TO BE CORRECTED, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT TOGETHER.
WE'RE ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND EVERY HOUSTONIAN THAT CAN HEAR MY VOICE.
YOU'RE A PUBLIC SERVANT, WHETHER YOU'RE EVER ON THE BALLOT OR NOT.
AND I BELIEVE SOMEDAY WE'RE GONNA BE JUDGED.
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE? WE NEED YOU AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR PRAYERS.
AND LIKE I SAID, THERE IS MUCH TO DO.
I HAVE NO PATIENCE, NO TIME TO WASTE.
I'M WILLING TO GIVE THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS OF THE REMAINING BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
SO LET ME JUST SAY IN CLOSING, IT IS TIME FOR US TO GO TO WORK.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SURE WE'LL BE ABLE TO COUNT ON HOUSTONIANS TO SUPPORT YOUR ADMINISTRATION.
MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
GOOD LUCK, GOD WITH YOU OVER THE NEXT, UH, FOUR YEARS AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO HELP THIS GREAT CITY OF OURS.
NOW IT GIVES ME A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE A NATIONALLY KNOWN RECORDING ARTIST, MARY GRIFFIN AND PROFESSIONAL GOSPEL MUSICIAN SEAN SMITH, TO PERFORM UP WHERE WE BELONG, ACCOMPANIED BY THE EARNEST WALKER RHYTHM SECTION.
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TIME GOES BY.OH, I JUST FEEL THE LOVE THIS MORNING.
THANK YOU MARY AND SEAN FOR THAT WONDERFUL RENDITION.
THIS NEXT YOUNG MAN, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN HIM ON AMERICA'S GOT TALENT.
HE'S ALSO WON FIRST PLACE IN SAN ANTONIO'S 28TH MARIACHI EXTRAVAGANZAS.
THIS 11-YEAR-OLD IS A MARIACHI PRODIGY MUSICIAN.
HIS INSPIRATION CAME FROM HIS GRANDFATHER, ANOTHER MARIACHI MUSICIAN, SINGER SONGWRITER BACK IN THE 19 HUNDREDS.
HE HAS BEEN A MARIACHI PERFORMER SINCE HE WAS THREE YEARS OLD.
AND DURING COVID, HE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO PLAY GUITAR.
HE'S RECENTLY SIGNED WITH THE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING BAND LA MAFIA.
THIS YOUNG MAN CONTINUES AND HOPES TO BE ONE DAY FAMOUS, UH, MARIACHI SINGER LIKE THE LATE VICENTE FERNANDEZ, AND CONTINUES THE BEAUTIFUL MARIACHI MUSIC TRADITION OF MEXICAN CULTURE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME ED EDUARDO TREVINO AND MARIACHI NUEVO IMPERIO.
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THANK YOU.LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR EDUARDO AND MARIACHI UE IMPERIAL.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK ALL OF OUR PERFORMERS AND PARTICIPANTS THIS MORNING.
THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY CONDUCTED BY GONZALO FOREZ, THE JOINT HONOR GUARD.
YES, A JOINT HONOR GUARD FROM THE HOUSTON POLICE AND HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENTS, MR. DYLAN ZONG.
MS. EILEEN PEREZ FROM THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA.
REVEREND MICHAEL GOT MR. KENNETH GALE, THE HONORABLE VICTOR TREVINO III, MS. MARY GRIFFIN, MR. SEAN SMITH, THE EARNEST WALKER RHYTHM SECTION, AND MR. EDUARDO TREVINO AND THE MARIACHI DVO IMPERIO.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR PARTICIPATING THIS MORNING.
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT THIS AFTERNOON AT TWO O'CLOCK.
UH, MAYOR ALLUDED TO THAT EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH.
THE DOORS OF CITY HALL WILL BE OPEN FOR HOUSTONIANS TO COME BY AND MEET AND GREET WITH HIM TO TELL HIM WHAT YOU THINK OF YOUR, OF THE PLANS FOR THIS CITY AND YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CITY AHEAD.
THIS EVENING, THE MAYOR IS GOING TO BE HOSTING A SPECIAL RECEPTION THAT WILL BE RECOGNIZING FIRST RESPONDERS AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES AS WELL.
FINALLY, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST RETURN TO CITY HALL RIGHT NOW THIS MORNING FOR THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING OF THE NEW YEAR.
THEY WILL BE ESCORTED BACK TO CITY HALL DURING THIS FINALE.
THAT'S GONNA START IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.
SO I ASK THAT EVERYONE, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR SEATS UNTIL THE END, AS THE MAYOR SAID, LET'S GET TO WORK.