Bottoms touches on crime, education in Atlanta during inauguration speech

ATLANTA - Atlanta's 60th mayor was sworn into office Tuesday during a ceremony at the King International Chapel at Morehouse College.

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Keisha Lance Bottoms took the oath as mayor, along with incoming city council members, city council President Felicia Moore, and municipal court judges.

In her speech, Bottoms struck a serious tone except one part referring back to an attack during the hard-fought campaign.

"And I know a little something about unstable water bills," said Bottoms. “Did y'all hear about that?”

Bottoms touched on crime in her speech sharing her recent experience talking about her nephew, who was killed by three men convicted at the end of last month.

"When I went to the courtroom that day, I saw three young men who could have been any of our sons and I looked at them sitting there emotionless as they were found guilty on all counts. I looked at my brother-in-law, I looked at my father-in-law and other family members in the courtroom that day and I thought to myself 'What is the win in this?' Bottoms asked.

Bottoms then transitioned to education.

“It is essential that we improve our schools. As our city continues to grow and attract new residents, young families will want to move into communities with great schools. Great schools should not just be an option for the wealthy, but for all who call Atlanta home,” said Bottoms.

Bottoms defeated Mary Norwood in a Dec. 5 runoff election to succeed Kasim Reed as Atlanta's next mayor.

City Council members met later that evening for their first organizational meeting of their new session.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.