BALTIMORE, MD – President Bernard C. “Jack” Young and members of the 71st Baltimore City Council were sworn-in this morning before an overflowing crowd of family, friends, community and business leaders, and fellow elected officials.

The day’s theme, “Partnerships: the Building Blocks of Progress,” touched on the notion that the relationships between residents, the business community, the nonprofit sector and the government will serve a vital role as Baltimore continues to emerge from the Great Recession.

The Council President’s address focused on the fact that we all must roll up our sleeves and work together to help improve the lives of average Baltimoreans.

Members of the newly sworn-in City Council will conduct their first meeting of the 71st term tonight at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

The full text of Council President Young’s address as prepared

Thank you! Thank you all for being here. Please be seated.

Let’s please give a round of applause to members of ORCHKids and Singing Sensations. I’m happy to have such talented young people here with us today.

To my wife Darlene, and our daughters Teaira and Kendra, to my granddaughter Madysin and my son-in-law Brandon; to my mother Ida Mae Rather, and to my father Sandy E. Young, who is here in spirit, and to my brothers and sisters; to my pastor Rev. Carl J. Solomon, to Rev. Gilliard, Iman Mulazim and Rabbi Oberstein; to Lt. Gov. Brown, Mayor Rawlings-Blake, County Executive Ulman, Council Chairman Johnny O and Sen. McFadden; and to the men and women of the 71st Baltimore City Council!; to our Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Stovall; to the memory of my trusted friend and aide, Rev. Beverly Simpson, who passed away last year far too soon, to the citizens of Baltimore, thank you for trusting me to serve. I am extremely honored to stand before you as the newly sworn-in President of the 71st Baltimore City Council.
           
You have in part placed our city’s future in my hands and those of my Council colleagues, and I promise you that we plan to exceed your expectations.

Four years ago, as we gathered in this very building, many among us were unaware of the life-altering economic storm brewing in Baltimore’s and our nation’s backyards. The past four years have presented a number of challenges that have caused us to re-examine how we approach and solve problems. These difficult times have also called on the citizens of Baltimore to shoulder increased burdens. We’ve faced seemingly never-ending budget deficits and stretched thin the safety net protecting the most vulnerable among us.

I don’t think there’s a person here today who would agree that the economic hardships endured by our friends, family, neighbors, and even by some of us in this room, drastically improved in June 2009 when experts reported that the recession came to an official end.

The pain associated with unemployment and underemployment was and is real. The sacrifices endured by citizens who had to adjust to a downsizing government are all too real.
           
But throughout our hardship and sacrifice, the people of Baltimore have not stopped moving forward. Through partnerships as varied as the vibrant neighborhoods that give life to our great city, we’ve been able to provide school-based healthcare services to students, employment to the jobless and improve the educational opportunities for the bright minds of tomorrow. Working together with residents, the private sector and our partners from neighboring jurisdictions, we’ve helped set Baltimore on a path to recovery.
           
But let’s be honest: we’ve only just begun. Ahead of us lies some extremely difficult work still to be done.          

Former President Kennedy once famously said that “Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.”
           
Well Baltimore, as members of the 71st Baltimore City Council prepare to begin a new term, we are focused like a laser on the areas where government action will help to grow small businesses (the economic engines of our communities); help to make our neighborhoods safer places for us to walk and our children to play; and help to further improve an educational system recognized nationally for improvements in graduation rates and test scores. 
           
The partnerships between residents, the business community, nonprofit sector and government are proof of the fact that we are ONE Baltimore, and ONE Maryland working together to help improve the lives of our citizens.
           
Let us remember that working together allows us to conquer any challenge before us, no matter how daunting.

Thank you very much, and may God bless Baltimore and her neighbors.