- William Jennings Bryan
Good morning. Before I begin my remarks, let me thank all of my colleagues in government, the many community leaders whom I recognize in this audience, and so many long time and new friends that have come here today.
Let me thank my two beautiful children Jasmine and Joshua. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for understanding at times when I had to be away and thank you for believing in me.
I would like to believe that you all came here just to see and hear me, but as much as I know you care about me, I know that you are here for a much higher purpose - you have come here today because you share my love, my passion and most importantly, you share my hope for a brighter Baltimore.
I begin this campaign today surrounded by young people because I believe my more than 20 years in government has really been about creating a future where the children of Baltimore could dream big dreams and have those dreams become reality.
I begin this campaign today at Steuart Hill Elementary School, the place where I began my career as a teacher. It is here that I laughed with children. It is here where I heard them talk about what they wanted to be in the future. And it is here, among these beautiful children, that I taught and learned the values that helped shape my political career.
And now, as mayor of this city, I am putting those life lessons to work -- That's what my administration has tried to do - over these first five months - to continue to move Baltimore forward.
I have reached out to people all across this great city to hear their concerns and to listen to their ideas.
People from every walk of life and from every corner of Baltimore have welcomed me into their churches and synagogues, their neighborhoods and their homes to strategize on solutions, and work together to fix the problems facing our city.
I did not come here today to run down a long list of what is wrong with Baltimore - all of us know what those challenges are:
An education system that is under-funded with teachers that are underpaid and where too many children are not learning and families are struggling to hold on, but there is hope.
A culture of violence, gangs and illegal guns where people have no respect for the dignity of human life and where thugs and criminals want to claim another generation of our children to add to their ranks, but there is hope.
And too many people are struggling to make ends meet and are living paycheck to paycheck - and people are looking around wondering who will answer the call to help, today, there is hope.
Yes, many of us know these challenges all too well. We've talked about them for years.
Today, I have come here to let you know that the time for talking has come to an end.
There can be no more business as usual.
It is time for us to stand up and be leaders and to draw upon the great legacy of Baltimore's past to create a lasting, enduring and thriving future for all of the citizens of this city.
I am convinced that there is no absence of sound policies and sensible plans. Working together we can change this city. We see happening everyday.
People are coming back to Baltimore in record numbers.
Children are academically testing at the highest levels in the state.
I have been a student in Baltimore's public schools and a teacher in Baltimore's public schools and I will never stop fighting until our students get the best education from teachers who are trained and ready - and paid a decent wage - in buildings that are staffed, safe and well-maintained.
And despite the nay-sayers and the cynics, I will work night and day to bring communities and our police together to reduce crime in our neighborhoods. You can see it - there are more police officers walking our streets - and meeting the neighbors and the people who live in our communities and together we are going to take back our neighborhoods.
Our streets are cleaner and greener.
We are hiring more recreation center staff and we're cleaning up our parks and green spaces like this beautiful park where we are today - Union Square - thank you Chris Taylor and the citizens of this community who are working with us to keep it this way.
Working together, with the leadership of my friend and colleague Councilman Bobby Curran, I signed into law a smoking ban that will protect the lives of our citizens and the state then followed our lead! Thank you Councilman Curran.
My administration broke the gridlock and bought the parties back to the table and got the Superblock Westside project moving again, bringing new energy, jobs and commerce to the Westside.
To hear some people tell the story of our city - you would think there was no reason to have hope. I want to tell a different story. I want to tell the real story of Baltimore.
We do not have to allow ourselves to become captive to the smallness of politics.
We do not have to allow ourselves to be distracted by the petty and the trivial.
And we do not have to avoid making tough decisions just to score cheap political points.
The best days of this city are still before us. I know this because I know the people of Baltimore and the people are this city's greatest asset.
I know that we are strong.
I know that we are determined.
I know that when we have faced challenges in the past, we have rolled up our sleeves and recognized that beneath all the differences of race and religion, we are one people. We are one Baltimore.
I have not accomplished this good work for Baltimore City alone - I have been supported and strengthened by a wide coalition of neighborhood leaders, labor unions, elected officials, everyday citizens, community leaders, teachers, clergy, students, business owners - people who come from different places and different experiences. But share one thing in common - they love and cherish this city.
I am grateful for those people, and I want to continue working with them - and all the residents of this city. We have done a lot in a short period of time. But we have only build a foundation for the work yet to be done.
I know we can do more...
I plan to do more.
That is why today, with my family and friends here with me, I am announcing that I will seek a full term as Mayor of the greatest city in the world - I want to continue to serve you as the Mayor of Baltimore.
If you see a future of endless possibility stretching before us...
I ask you to join me, not simply to win a title or a position, but join me in creating a Baltimore we can all be proud of!
Thank you!
