Michael Bloomberg was sworn in as mayor of the New York City for the third term on Friday.
"I recognize, I understand, that this term is a special opportunity, one that comes with
extraordinary responsibilities," Bloomberg said in his inaugural address. "I realize, too, that
the building behind me (City Hall) is yours, and the job in front of me is to listen and to lead.
I will not shirk from the hard decisions that lie ahead."
Bloomberg touched on a number of issues, from schools to the middle class, and spoke
the words "innovation" and "fresh" more than a dozen times, he offered no specific proposals to tackle problems, simply vowing to disprove conventional wisdom about third term being devoid of energy.
The mayor also promised to help prevent crime, aid small businesses, stir local volunteerism and equally serve all the city's residents.
Bloomberg is now the city's first three-term mayor since former Mayor Ed Koch.
Around 12:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT), City Comptroller John Liu, the first Chinese
-American, also the first Asian-American, to be elected to a citywide office, was the first
official sworn in at the ceremony.
"I am optimistic at this juncture where we can restore the fiscal health of the city, public
confidence in government and the economic outlook of our future," Liu said in his inaugural speech.
Liu previously served on the New York City Council representing District 20. He was elected to the City Council in 2001 to represent northeast Queens and was re-elected in 2003 and 2005.
Liu entered the New York City Comptroller election in 2009 and won the race on Nov. 3.