Be assured that I did not become the Mayor of Chicago to preside over its decline.

But I am committed to keeping this city a strong and viable center for commerce and industry, for continuing to make it a place of opportunity for its citizens.

I pledge tonight to be Mayor for all of the people of this city - for one Chicago.

The people ask much, often more than any government can give. We must resist the temptation to promise solutions to all problems.

But as important as the job to be done by government in the neighborhoods, the people must also be involved.

In the housing projects, people talked of ways to reduce crime, relieve overcrowding, and they were good ideas that we plan to study, and possibly implement.

We must care. We must all care. And while I am working, while the governments is working, so must the people also work.