2004 was a great year for Boston! The Patriots won the Super Bowl! Boston hosted its first national political convention! And - the Red Sox won the World Series!
Thomas Menino

And for the city's birthday, we will host events in every neighborhood of the city, inviting all of our residents to share in the celebration of Boston's great epic - the story of neighbors who support one another where it matters most.
Thomas Menino

And it was from Boston that one in every six American families began their journey into the land of the free.
Thomas Menino

Boston is known for its innovation.
Thomas Menino

Boston is safe. And we're going to keep it safe.
Thomas Menino

Boston is the engine of the state's economy.
Thomas Menino

Children need continuity as they grow and learn.
Thomas Menino

Currently, Boston has only nine percent of the state's population - but we provide more than 16 percent of the jobs and 19 percent of the state's revenues.
Thomas Menino

Diversity gives our city a competitive edge.
Thomas Menino

For every $5 that Boston's economy sends up to Beacon Hill, the state gives only $1 back to us.
Thomas Menino

Here's what I see all across this great city - people working together to make Boston a better place to live and to raise children, to grow and pursue dreams.
Thomas Menino

I am also committed to providing city employees with housing assistance.
Thomas Menino

I am working hard to ensure that working families can continue to afford to live in our city.
Thomas Menino

I brought together experts from health care, business, academic institutions, and the community to develop a comprehensive blueprint for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care in the City of Boston.
Thomas Menino

I'm proud to report that in 2004 alone, we approved 3,600 new units of housing - our best year ever!
Thomas Menino

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.
Thomas Menino

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

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

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

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