Photo by Bernard Grant
Michael Hancock
O
Inaugurated as 45th Mayor of the City and County of Denver
n July 18, Michael Hancock was inaugurated as the 45th Mayor of the City and County of Denver. More than 2,000 attendees joined Hancock and other elected officials for the Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremony held at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Following is Mayor Hancock’s Inauguration speech (as prepared). With a positive vision of our city, we have spent years working together for a better future. Today, I stand before you proud to serve as your next mayor. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I am humbled by your support and inspired by your resolve to make our great city even greater. Of course, my deepest thanks must go to my biggest supporters, my family. To Mary, our wonderful children, to my mother, brothers and sisters and extended family members, your love and sacrifice throughout my life and throughout this campaign is why I’m standing here today. I also want to recognize two members of the Little Rock Nine who have joined us today – Ernie Green and Carlotta LaNier. You are a true inspiration. Thank you. Thank you and congratulations to all of the elected leaders who are serving in these difficult times, and to those who served before us, including former Mayors Pena, Webb and now Gov. Hickenlooper.
A special thank you to Mayor Vidal, who in the true spirit of the city, refused to sit idle. Thank you, Bill, for serving with strength and humility, and with courage and candor. To our regional partners, I look forward to building even stronger relationships over the years ahead. To the people who have made a real difference in the lives of Denver residents – our city employees, thank you. To my City Council colleagues, including Paula Sandoval and the late Carla Madison, the District Attorney, the City Auditor and the Clerk and Recorder, many of us began our public service together, and I am excited to continue our work. Because, Denver, we are not done yet. For 18 months during the campaign, I met with Denver residents in their kitchens, backyards and businesses. And the one resounding message I heard over and over again is that Denver is ready. •Ready to turn challenges into opportunities for a brighter future; •Ready to jumpstart our economy; •Ready for Denver to take its rightful place as one of the premier cities in the United States and around the globe. Today, I tell you Denver, it is time. Time that we deliver a great city for all of our citizens. Denver is brimming with possibility. Now is the time for all of us to come together to turn our dreams and aspirations into reality.
Now is the time, Denver. •Time for us to take our place on the global stage. •Time for every child to have access to a world-class education. •Time for us to have streets where all residents feel welcome and safe. •Time for Denver to provide a 21st Century government and services. Plato once said, about his beloved home, “This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.” It captures the true spirit of Denver. Since our city was a simple mining town, Denver has always overcome adversity and persevered. With determination, innovation and unbridled optimism, we have always found a way to prosper. I’ve seen your passion for a positive path forward, even during difficult times like the past two recessions, and I’ve seen your dedication to building a better Denver. Together, we have made wise investments and bold moves: •We invested half-a-billion dollars in neighborhood improvement and city infrastructure projects. •We supported FasTracks. •And you embraced our positive campaign for mayor and our hopeful vision for our city. Denver, your story is my story. Your struggles are my struggles. No one expected a landlocked city in the middle of the country to become a global competitor. But today, despite hard times and much adversity, we are primed to become a
Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – August 2011
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new and unexpected national and international force. And no one ever thought that this skinny kid from northeast Denver would rise to achieve his dreams of becoming mayor. But thanks to my faith and my family, thanks to the support of neighbors, schools and people all across our great city, I have become the person I am today. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to lift myself up, and for the people who never gave up on me. And as your next mayor, I will not give up on Denver. I stand up here today joined by a group of people who not only care deeply about all of you and all of Denver, but leaders who are ready to lift up this city. And we stand on the shoulders of great leaders before us. Mayor Speer knew it was time for Denver to build and celebrate a culture of outdoor spaces and public amenities. Mayor Stapleton knew it was time for Denver to develop an infrastructure that has made us a national city. Mayor Pena knew it was time for Denver to open a world-class airport that is making us an international city. Mayor Webb knew it was time for Denver to open its arms to the world with events like the Summit of the Eight and Pope John Paul’s World Youth Day. And, Mayor Hickenlooper knew it was time to begin making Denver a Continued on page 6