REMARKS
Leticia James speaks in support of Adrienne Adams before administering the oath of office
0:36:27
·
5 min
Before administering the oath of office, Leticia James delivers a speech in support of Adrienne Adams.
Speaker 2
0:36:27
I would now introduce the attorney general of the state of New York, Leticia James, to administer the oath of office to speaker Adams.
Speaker 14
0:36:47
It's great to be in a body in light of the fact that we live in a polarized and fractured world.
0:36:55
And it's great to be in a body where we welcome a council member Shulman into the divine 9.
0:37:01
That's really a special It's gotta be a real special place.
0:37:10
And it's great to see that you've left my chair empty.
0:37:13
Thank you so much.
0:37:17
She is wise.
0:37:20
She's intelligent.
0:37:22
She's sharp.
0:37:24
She's insightful.
0:37:26
She is focused.
0:37:27
She is committed, and she is talented.
0:37:30
That is your speaker speaker Adrian E Adams.
0:37:35
And I am proud and honored to be here amongst all of you.
0:37:38
As a fellow public servant, and it's important that we all recognize and remember that we are here to be served and not to serve ourselves but to serve others and to serve constituents who desperately need us at a time like this.
0:37:56
As was mentioned, Adrienne E Adams has broken barriers, and all of New York City is fortunate for that fact.
0:38:04
And she is an instrument for a larger cause of justice.
0:38:10
She's relied on her lived experiences.
0:38:13
And the wisdom that she and all of you, our colleagues, have amassed to help move New York City forward.
0:38:21
Adrienne has led this package at the city council and a number of bills that have been mentioned to address persistent racial disparities in return of health.
0:38:31
To expand access to reproductive rights.
0:38:34
Under her leadership, she's expanded support for crime victims and communities that experience high levels of violence but are underserved by traditional services.
0:38:45
So that they too can enjoy the bounty of the city.
0:38:50
She has created a 5,100,000 budget initiative to fund community safety and victim services at the neighborhood level.
0:38:59
Because by repairing the breach, We improved public safety all throughout the city of New York.
0:39:06
She secured funding to establish New York State's 1st 4 trauma recovery centers for those who are struggling with drug abuse.
0:39:16
Struggling struggling, unfortunately, opioid abuse, and fentanyl, and xylazine.
0:39:22
And all of us must work to address these issues.
0:39:28
Adrienne E Adams and all of you in this room have prioritized addressing unfairness in the city.
0:39:33
It was workforce.
0:39:34
Striking a mighty blow against structures that breed inequities and passing legislative packages to confront the historic lack of diversity and gender and and race based pay disparities that impact our workforce.
0:39:52
She also established the CUNY reconnect program that has helped thousands of working aged New Yorkers return to college.
0:40:00
Because she understands that education is transforming transformative and can transform the lives of countless New Yorkers.
0:40:09
I can stand here inside all of the accomplishments that this young woman has made during these past 2 years.
0:40:17
But I know that God is not finished with you yet and that more is expected.
0:40:24
And I also know that as someone said, hope is the companion of power and the mother of success.
0:40:33
And in this woman, she is both hopeful and successful.
0:40:39
And that is why she is the speaker of this body.
0:40:43
You are truly an inspirational council speaker, a role model to many.
0:40:50
Many little girls, black and white and Latino and Asian.
0:40:54
They all look to you.
0:40:56
And I am sure that you will be just as effective and dynamic as you have been in your last term as you will be in the next.
0:41:06
I thank my friend, Adrienne Adams on a great 4 years.
0:41:12
And I know we are looking forward to what comes next.
0:41:17
All that I say is that God surround you and keep you safe and that you walk with him and And when you walk with him, you feel his presence and know that he is with you in each and every decision that you make.
0:41:34
And know that God is in control of all of us.