By Heather Grossmann & Michael P. Ventura
DNAinfo Staff
CITY HALL — Mayor Michael Bloomberg struck a conciliatory tone during his third term inauguration speech at City Hall on Friday afternoon while vowing to shake up his administration and push for immigration reform.
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve New Yorkers for four more years," Bloomberg said. "I recognize – I understand – that this term is a special opportunity, one that comes with extraordinary responsibilities."
“I realize, too that the building behind me is yours – and the job in front of me is to listen and to lead," Bloomberg said.
The mayor’s controversial bid for a third term angered many New Yorkers during the recent campaign, as did his spending a record-breaking $102 million in a tough economy only to squeak out a narrow victory.
Bloomberg also used the inaugural address to announce that he would use his third term to take on immigration reform.
It's the second national issue Bloomberg has taken up during his time in office. During his last inauguration address, in 2006, he announced he would go after illegal guns.
“With leaders from across the country, we will assemble a bi-partisan coalition to support President Obama’s call for comprehensive immigration reform that honors our history, upholds our values, and promotes our economy," Bloomberg said, without citing specifics.
Council Member Margaret Chin, who represents Lower Manhattan, was pleased with the mayor's immigration message, but seemed wary of what practical steps would actually be taken.
"I support the mayor's call for Immigration reform, Chin said. "However, I also know the immigrant communities of our city. They need real support, from education to affordable housing."
"If the Mayor wants to make New York a model for national immigration reform, let's work together to improve conditions for working immigrant families," Chin said.
Immigration was a major theme of the ceremony. Immigrant students from city high schools introduced Bloomberg, new Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and new Comptroller John Liu, who were also sworn in.
Cheers erupted from the crowd when a grinning Liu, the first Asian American elected to citywide office, ascended to the stage.
Liu invoked President Barack Obama and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in his inauguration speech, citing the barriers they broke.
"I stand here today on the shoulders of these and other pioneers, like the late Percy Sutton," Liu said. "I'm humbled to be a part of this wave of change."
Liu promised to use the powers of his office to be a watchdog for the city, specifically mentioning his focus on the city's pension fund and the protection he will give to retirees.
Like Liu, de Blasio has been a vocal opponent of the mayor in the past. De Blasio's speech echoed Liu's watchdog theme.
"My office will be a place where the voice of the people speaks loudly," de Blasio said. "And, in the instances where government fails, my office will be the place that demands accountability and change."
The three newly confirmed city officials watched as students of Staten Island's P.S. 22 closed the ceremony by singing, and rapping, Jay-Z's song, "Run this Town."
Gov. David Paterson, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani did not attend the ceremony. Paterson was hosting an open house at the governor's mansion in Albany and Giuliani was traveling.
"I think this administration will be the best of all three," NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly, wearing a lavender tie and a cream scarf, told DNAinfo.
