The cooperation of government at its different levels is important and can only be achieved as long as the people of Chicago are directly involved in our efforts and supportive of our goals.

Be assured that I did not become the Mayor of Chicago to preside over its decline.

If we are to succeed, we must recognize that the community redevelopment is not solely the rehabilitation of housing, or putting a mall in the business strips.

The Chicago Symphony is considered the greatest orchestra in the world.

Our universities and museums are respected around the country.

Politics never takes a holiday in Chicago.

I accept that responsibility and ask only that I be judged by my performance as its chief executive.

But I am committed to keeping this city a strong and viable center for commerce and industry, for continuing to make it a place of opportunity for its citizens.

The nation can no longer afford to continue policies that hasten the flight of persons to the distant suburbs.

City employees will be hired and promoted because of their abilities - without outside interference.

Tonight - by taking this solemn oath - I am no longer a private citizen but the Mayor of the City of Chicago.

That the majority of people do not embrace salvation in this life does not mean that their experiences now do not lay a foundation for a later acceptance of it.

The ramifications of workplace violence can have a lingering effect on the organization for generations.

From what I can see of humans, you often destroy wonderful things in the pursuit of something that your delusions make you think is more wonderful.

After one of the lectures in Philadelphia, a woman asked Chesterton what made women talk so much, to which he replied, briefly, 'God, Madam'.

Religion needs a baptism of horse sense.

Dame Barbara Cartland was an endearing eccentric, and when I interviewed her, she wanted me to listen to her dictating to her secretary one of those romantic novels that she turned out fortnightly.

You can't run a business or anything else on a theory.

I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion.

I'm, like, a real nerd, in that I will take a book that is three inches thick and disappear and not leave until it's done.

I'm all about the crockpot.