Speaker Karen Bass' Swearing In Address

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Today, Speaker Karen Bass was sworn in as California's 67th Assembly Speaker. Here are her remarks:

“To the former Speakers who joined me today as my escorts -- you honor us with your presence the way your service honored this house and this state. Thank you for taking the time to be here today. Since I have been in the legislature I have sought each of you for your guidance, critique and solidarity. And I thank you for that -- and assume you’ll be available for many more phone calls.
 
Members….honored guests…dear friends and family….since my election on February 28th to be the 67th Speaker of the Assembly, I have had the opportunity and experience to be part of an incredible transition –  part of a complex and comprehensive process of receiving the torch from the 66th Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Núñez.
 
I know the job ahead of me as Speaker will be both easier and harder because of the example set by Speaker Núñez.
 
Easier because of the outstanding processes he has put in place for this house. Harder because of the high threshold he has set for results.
 
Mr. Speaker, thank you so much for your leadership, your friendship, and, especially, for the enormous generosity of spirit you have shown me during this seamless transition.
 
Members, as Mr. Speaker mentioned, I do feel the weight of history on my shoulders today -- as the first African American woman in U.S. history elected to head a state legislative body. ..."

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