so i was very pleased, as i said, to see diprima. i have learned so much about your background and history and family and wanted to share a little of that with you. i thought i would write some things down so i would get it right. some of them you do not want to hear, most of them you do. for those of you unfamiliar with diane, she was going in brooklyn, new york, 190034, not too many years ago. second generation american of italian descent. she began writing at age 7. she probably was ready before then, but formally at age 7 committed herself to a life of poetry. she found what she loves. she lived and wrote in manhattan for years and became very well known as a writer of the beat movement. for the past 34 years, she has lived and worked, wisely, in northern california. 68. that is about when i started life. [laughter] so, for the past 40 years, she took part in political activities with the diggers. she studied zen and tibetan buddhism, sanskrit and alchemy, raised five remarkable children. unbelievable. an author of remarkable 43

we look for to the inaugural event with diane diprima. thank you very much, and have a great day. the biggest issue in america today? segregation still exists... racism... the repression and oppression of women the educational system stem cell research homeless people cloning government health care taxation announcer: so, is there anything you're doing to help make a change? i'm not really doin' anything. ummmm [sighs] got me on that one... >> i have to figure out who is here. we were waiting for my chief of staff to finish a phone call. my apologies for being late. we want to create suspense. i am very grateful. i am looking around the room, and there are so many of you that are here. i will spare the indignity to jose and dufty, president of the board, david chu, to sean elsberdn and some supervisor- elects, or will be here. marquez, where is he. somewhere in the back. i thank them for being here with all of you. i mam grateful you came out today. this is one of my last public swearing-in ceremonies. i am glad you didn't all applaud. an encouraging sign. a meaningful one to me.