We were the first urban school system in the country to wire all of our schools for the Internet.

One of our key strategies has been to restructure traditional high schools into small learning communities with personalized attention and a range of options.

Tonight, I am pleased to announce that I have secured $1 million from the Convention Host Committee to fund the beautification of Boston's neighborhoods.

In the 1990s, we introduced Boston's community policing strategy. We reversed the tide of violent crime that threatened our city, and we established a national model for preventing and fighting crime.

The true value of sport is more than the skills that young people learn.

Preparing our city to achieve its destiny will require strong leadership.

My fellow citizens, the state of our city is strong.

Let's use the energy of this historic year to propel us toward our shared vision of a greater Boston.

We must be vigilant in our actions towards criminals, and innovative in our approach towards solving crime.