I accept that responsibility and ask only that I be judged by my performance as its chief executive.

But always I was a private citizen whose activities in government or political party were appointive.

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

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.

When there were fears about the future of this nation's older cities... when a few of the cities teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, all eyes were focused on Chicago for contrast.

Tonight - by taking this solemn oath - I am no longer a private citizen but the Mayor of the City of Chicago.

Chicago’s neighborhoods have always been the city’s greatest strength.