This is the prayer that I offered at today’s opening session.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, wrote the prophet Isaiah.

Since we last came together, our city was aflame.

It is now our task to respond to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

To adopt policy and a budget that expand opportunity for those who are poor in both spirit and in material comfort.

The tired, the poor, the masses yearning to succeed.

Our differences are real but our obligation is greater.

After 90 days, may we leave here lifting a lamp for all whose honor and duty it is ours to serve.