Haslam becomes Tennessee's 49th governor
January 15, 2011

NASHVILLE, TN -- Standing before throngs of Inauguration attendees on Legislative Plaza, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam told Tennesseans across the state he was ready to go to work making Tennessee a better place to live, work and raise a family.

"There are opportunities before us. We cannot do or be everything. We have to exercise good judgment as we set our priorities. The path we will travel will not be smooth and there will be a few bumps along the way," Haslam said after taking the Oath of Office from Tennessee State Supreme Court Chief Justice Cornelia "Connie" Clark, the first woman to administer the oath in state history.

"As your governor, I promise to be a good listener and a continuous learner, to lead with grace and humility, and when faced with adversity, to respond with determination," Haslam added. "And finally, I will work hard. In business, as a mayor, and as a candidate for governor, I have learned nothing replaces hard work."

The inauguration comes at the end of the week Haslam spent on a statewide Swing Tour discussing his ideas for education reform and economic development. His inaugural speech covered his three biggest priorities: job, education and managing the state's budget, as he made several commitments to Tennesseans.