he made her
entrance to enthusiastic applause. Escorted by a beaming Speaker Gifford
Miller, Letitia James, the Working Families Party candidate and
now New York City Council Member, was about to be sworn in publicly.
News cameras rolling, flash bulbs flaring, the two made their way
to the center of the council chamber.
This was the scene at the start of the November 19th City
Council meeting as jubilant family members, supporters and Council
Members looked on. This included New York State Assemblyman Roger Green,
for whom James previously served as Chief of Staff.
Once they reached their destination, Miller told James, "We are
extraordinarily proud of you and what you’ve accomplished. We look
forward to working with you." He then turned her over to the City Clerk,
Victor Robles, who administered the oath of office.
In
it James solemnly swore to support the constitutions of the United
States of America and the State of New York as well as the New York City
Charter. "I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of
Council Member 35th District in the Borough of Brooklyn of
the City of New York according to the best of my ability, so help me
God," the oath concluded.
Then it
was time for Council Member Letitia James to say a few words. "We have
come this far by faith," she began. "It has been a mighty long journey
but we did it through faith, family and friends - my rock, my
foundation, and my trinity."
The hall was very quiet as she continued, "We all witnessed the loss
of a warrior, the late Councilman James Davis, whose shoes I cannot
fill, but whose legacy, vision and spirit I will keep alive. Now we come
to this place and to this day where I recognize that this victory was
born out of tragedy. And so it is difficult for me to celebrate. But
what is essential is that we bring about unity. Unity is the greatest
need of this hour."
James went on to say that unity is the only way they will be able to
transform the discord of the past into a powerful coalition of progress,
creating public policy that prioritizes the need for affordable housing,
quality health care and an educational system that extends knowledge,
increases power and elevates people. They can build a coalition that
will create opportunities for all, a sense of security for working
families, and a society where want is abolished. "A coalition that
respects the dignity and humanity of all God's children: black and
white, men and women, young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight.
"The victory is not won," James concluded. "We’ve got a lot of work
to do and it starts today. And so today I will be too calm for worry,
too noble for anger, and too strong for defeat. Today, I will believe
that anything is possible. I will walk through fear without hesitation.
Today, I will stand for justice, for righteousness, for peace and
prosperity. Today, you and I will make a difference. So thank you all
for coming - and let's get to work!"
Thus was inaugurated the newest member of the New York City Council.
