PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Cherelle Parker was officially sworn in on Tuesday as Philadelphia's 100th mayor — the first woman to hold the job.
The inauguration ceremony began Tuesday morning at The Met Philadelphia, first with the swearing-in of City Council members, city commissioners, the sheriff, the register of wills, and the city controller.
Ceremony attendees received a list of her 100-day action plan on the key issues that Parker plans to carry out, including safety, economic opportunity, education, housing, and “clean and green.”
Parker’s first order of business will be to swear in Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel this afternoon. She will then sign three executive orders, including one declaring a public safety emergency in Philadelphia, and another directing the new police commissioner to come up with a plan to deal with it.
Listen to Parker's inaugural address
Inauguration highlights
Outgoing Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke shares remarks
Kenyatta Johnson sworn in as Philadelphia City Council president
Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph delivers a special reading in honor of Parker
Jim Kenney’s farewell statement
Jim Kenney’s term officially ended at midnight on New Year’s Eve. He served two terms, from 2016 to 2023.
Read his farewell statement below:
Dear Fellow Philadelphians,
It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as the mayor of this great city. Thank you for this significant opportunity and for all you do for Philadelphia as members of your community.
I write to you on the eve of an historic milestone for our city, as we prepare to welcome my friend and colleague, Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, to this esteemed office. I have the utmost confidence in Mayor-elect Parker, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to serving the people of Philadelphia time and again throughout her impressive career. Our city and its future are in great hands.
Over the last eight years, we have made significant progress on the key issues facing Philadelphia and its future - public safety, education, inclusive growth, financial stability, and thriving neighborhoods.
Our city’s magnificent strength and resilience shone bright even in its darkest moments. The combination of a global pandemic, a tumultuous presidential election, a devastating gun violence epidemic, and long overdue demands for racial justice, tested the resolve and resilience of every single Philadelphian. Without hesitation, Philadelphia’s municipal employees, first responders, healthcare staff, and volunteers stepped forward to see us through uncharted waters. Four years later, we have made an incredible recovery from the pandemic and are poised to focus once more on the City’s bright future.
None of this would be possible without the City’s dedicated and talented workforce. Every day, more than 30,000 Philadelphians are hard at work serving the public, while also paving the way for innovation and progress. This work often happens behind the scenes, and too often it goes unrecognized or underestimated. In my career as an elected official - and as the son of a firefighter - I’ve always been impressed by the hardworking public servants across every department and at every level of local government. I thank them all for their service during my time in office and am forever grateful for their commitment to serving the people of Philadelphia.
My administration has spent the past several months preparing for the mayoral transition to promote continuity, stability, and momentum as a new mayor takes office. We are excited about our city’s future and look forward to celebrating Philadelphia’s progress and achievements under Mayor-elect Parker’s leadership.
Thank you again, Philadelphia, for the incredible honor of being your Mayor. I am confident that together we have sown the seeds for continued progress, and I look forward to watching them grow with you.
In service,
Jim Kenney
Mayor of Philadelphia