Eight years in office. Term limited. This is 40 minutes. [applause] you dont get that everyday. [applause] mr. Chief justice and justices of the spring, members of our congressional delegation, mr. Senate president , and members of the 218th legislator, reverent clergy, on guess with family and friends, ladies and gentlemen, my fellow new jersey ands. Seventy days ago you chose to take her state in a new direction. Today, full of optimism and hope for a Better Future we begin the journey with together. [applause] the work of our administration will be about you. Your families, and your communities. We will never lose sight that we are one state one family with different beliefs the Common Dreams that we do not succeed unless we all succeed together. [applause] to governor christie, on behalf of our state i think you for over two decades of Public Service to the state of new jersey. [applause] there is much in your body of work from which to choose but in particular your work to save lives from opiate addiction is a legacy with continuing and i intend to do so. [applause] you and mary pat have set the bar how to be outstanding parents even in the public eye. Got placebo. , and their former governors with us today in his footsteps i now stand,. [applause] you have each given me years sage advice both as i contemplated running from this office and as i prepared to take it. Those from both sides of the. Cannot thank you enough your guidance and leadership. It is only 12 days since we lost governor burn. His oncoming kurds are examples to which we should all aspire. [applause] governor birded big things and made a big difference in the state we all love. We should honor his legacy with the same loneliness to make decisions with the future not simply the next election in mind. [applause] i had wish nothing more than to look over and see through the side today. I cannot make that wish come true. However in tribute divest for the flake presented to ruthie in the burn family by the military honor guard to be flown outside of this building as we sit here. [applause] through the gesture know his with us. When we part company and leave the company i ask you to pause and look up to a flag into the sky beyond it in remembrance. [applause] Lieutenant Governor we have known each other over the years and he fought a heck of a fight. I know your deep commitment to family to our state. I think you for your service and wish you nothing but the very best. [applause] by the way, and a parent of a child serving in our armed forces is a hero in their own right. To Senate PresidentSteve Sweeney and assembly speaker, majority leaders and minority leaders, i congratulate you on having the support and confidence of your caucuses. I look forward to working with you and all members into partnership to accomplish great things for state and its people. , ground. If we forge our future together will get there faster and stronger will last longer than if we go it alone. [applause] was asked on the campaign trail to describe sheila in one word nice at rockstar. To Lieutenant Governor sheila im over the moon excited and grateful to have you as my partner mr. Administration. Amen. Your grace and good humor, your experience acknowledging your lifelong commitment to Public Service and into particular improving the lives of those left in our society has been an inspiration to me in many across the state. I am ready to tackle the issues with you by my side. Youve made history before any have just made it again. God bless you. Its way cool that you ball your brother are beside you. To her first lady to her children josh, emma, charlie, sam, thank you for your patience over the past several years during the long days and late nights. Suffice to say this, you realizes i was the default candidate in the family. [laughter] you have kept my feet firmly on the ground. You remind me daily the most important two days are as a husband and a dad. As we begin this journey together a cannot be prouder to have it by my side. I love you very much. First date was 24 years ago today. [applause] i can see tammy looking at me, what was i thinking . We got engaged 18 days later. Several said isnt that sweet, and how we say dont you dared to it to us to our kids. [laughter] ladies and gentlemen, few moments ago our state to the new page. Today together we are barcode writing a chapter. His to writing pages about problems that never go away thats right about solutions. It will require leadership and vision. Understanding the power of thinking big and refusing to wait for someone else to pick up the challenge. To have made us a force for good around the world the beacon for peace and prosperity. Leadership that is made our Country Place where immigrants so, hope of a Better Future. That includes from haiti and the continent of africa. [applause] [applause] it is an american truth summed up by president John Fitzgerald kennedy his family by bike had the honor of placing my hand upon moments ago but as americans we do things not because there is he, but because they are hard. At this time the challenges facing our state and its people, i leadership and vision must once again a line. For too long too much is done for the short term for selfinterest. The longterm good along with her confidence and optimism about what we can achieve has suffered. New jersey was once renowned for big ideas, and it can be again. The public is tired of pessimistic and shortsighted thinking. Theyve rejected the politics of division. And asked us to focus on we, all 9 million of us. [applause] all of us who called this great state our home. We have visited every new Jersey County and met tens of thousands of people wanting leadership to restore their confidence in the future of our state and their home on the american dream. For all of these good and hopeful people in the millions more like them but i take my old today. Enough to uphold their constitution and follow through on delivering the promise of a better life and Better Future. There is no ambiguity in their mandate. They voted to build a stronger affair new jersey that works for every family. They elected a governor and legislature with the duty to carry out this promise. [applause] a stronger affair new jersey is rooted in an economy that creates better jobs and provides higher wages. That creates places where industry can grow in communities can rise. Where Innovative Companies are born and where millennials will want to live in were seniors will want to retire. And remember we all have value and can contribute. Including the differently abled. Amen. A stronger affair new jersey fences Public Schools delivers on the promise of tax relief. [applause] makes a four year college more affordable provides free access to community college. Creates new Training Programs to prepare our residents for jobs in an innovation driven economy. [applause] stronger affair new jersey creates tools for Small Businesses and women, veteran and minority owned businesses to thrive instead of giving massive tax breaks to select big corporations that dont need them in the first place. A stronger bear new jersey ensures the wealthiest among us pay their fair share in taxes so working and middleclass families can keep more of their hardearned money. A stronger affair new jersey embraces criminal Justice Reform comprehensively. And that includes a process to legalize marijuana. [applause] the economy that a stronger appear focuses on creative housing thats affordable and safe from the danger of lead. [applause] stronger affair new jersey welcomes all wish to be a part of building our future protects our hardworking immigrant families. [applause] stronger affair new jersey accepts the reality of Climate Change and invest in Renewable Energy and it upholds the goals of the paris climate accord. [applause] a stronger affair new jersey mean someone has your back. I do. For those of you were debating whether to stay in new jersey or leave, or consider moving here from elsewhere, many years from now when you look back planting your flag in new jersey will have been one of the smartest decisions youve have ever made. [applause] new jersey was once a National Model for protecting the environment and growing an economy feel by innovation and ideas. We are fiscally responsible and home to a thriving middleclass. We insured the least among us a programs to help lift them up from poverty. Weve had strong firearm laws and protected the Second Amendment rights of sportsmen. We can be the state that leads the nation in progressive policies and puts common sense and our residents first in line. [applause] we can, and we will stand for the right things. We begin by having a cabinet and Leadership Team in place that looks like the state we now proudly served. Sheila and i made this promise, and it has been kept. We sought out the very best and talented leaders to carry out our mandate and to build that stronger affair new jersey. Because of that, our cabinet reflects the diversity of our state. I can Say Something about each one but let me say a couple. Among the group is the first latina to lead banking and insurance. [applause] that includes the first Muslim American cabinet official in the states history. [applause] his name is doctor sure he. It includes the first africanamerican and the first minority to lead the new Jersey National guard. [applause] and, it includes the first seek america attorney general in our nations history. Was still have important positions to fill, im extraordinarily proud to introduce them to know. I asked them all to please stand and be recognized. [applause] [applause] america strikes back. From our city store suburbs, from the shore to our forms, i feel the Intense Energy for stronger future builds right here. I hear the excitement from the heads of Technology Incubators for Startup Companies begin. I see the pride at construction sites were Union Workers are building exciting new spaces and residents will work, learn, live. [applause] i see it in her schools were educators are preparing the next generation of the jerseyans. And in the neighborhoods were police, fire and other First Responders are protecting their neighbors and complete and total strangers. Amen. I for the satisfaction that comes to knowing people across the country are join products grow and raised her fermented, brute, and distilled in new jersey. [applause] where one new jersey, north, central, and south. An extended family striving for success. I pledged not to be the governor for all 9 million who call our great state home. With the goal of doing only what is best for our shared future. We shall take our cue from one of my heroes, the late states woman, barbara jordan. She said the imperative is to define what is right and do it. [applause] in a matter of weeks i will go before the legislature to present our first budget and to put these ideals into greater specificity. We have a budget that is belts fiscally and morally. Will be bold but responsible and realistic. Doing so will send a lot of clear message that our days and muddling through from crisis to crisis are over. We will charge forward with bold ideas and with recognition that while we cannot change everything overnight, we also cannot create a Stronger Tomorrow unless we start making Smart Investments today. [applause] the good news, is that we dont need to wait until the budget is presented. To my partners in the legislature ask you send me the bills to reform our support for Womens Health planned parenthood. [applause] [applause] a bill to raise the minimum wage to 15 per hour. [applause] you may as well stay up. A bill to promote equal pay for women. [applause] orville to give every worker the peace of mind of earned sickleave. [applause] a bill to tear down the barriers to voting. [applause] and a bill to strengthen our gun laws. [applause] i promise you know those bills will be met with the signing ceremony. [applause] we do not have to wait to make our economy stronger affair to attack income inequality and to protect and grow our middle class. That is why, later today, and one of my First Official acts signed an executive order promoting equal pay for women. [applause] [applause] while were doing all of this i love you. God bless you too. While were doing all this, we Must Immediately resist washingtons allout assault on new jersey. [applause] [applause] frankly, this is not as much about hi between democrats and republicans, but a battle between right and wrong. Between standing up for the people of new jersey or standing for failed to washington politics. Will resist every move from President Trump and a misguided congressional leadership. [applause] will resist any moves that would worsen income inequality divide families or tonight access to college for our dreamers. [applause]. The music that