Houston Mayor John Whitmire's inauguration ceremony, speech
HOUSTON - Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s public inauguration was held on Tuesday morning, the day after he was sworn-in during a private ceremony.
During the public ceremony at the Wortham Center, Mayor Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins took their oaths of office before Whitmire swore in 16 city council members.
The 63rd mayor of the City of Houston then delivered his inauguration speech highlighting the city’s strengths, as well as challenges he wants to address, from public safety to infrastructure to city services.
"There is much to do. I have no patience, no time to waste. I'm willing to give the next eight years of the remaining best years of my life to public service on behalf of the City of Houston. So, let me just say in closing, it's time for us to go to work," Whitmire said.
Whitmire, a former Texas Senator, was elected mayor in a runoff election against Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on Dec. 9. He has served as a state senator for 40 years after being elected in 1983.
Whitmire replaced Sylvester Turner as mayor. Turner, who was elected in 2015 and took office in January 2016, was not eligible for reelection due to the term limit.
SUGGESTED: John Whitmire sworn in as Houston Mayor on Jan. 1 in private ceremony
Whitmire was sworn-in as Houston’s mayor during a small, private ceremony shortly after midnight on Jan. 1.