p.j. johnson has done great work and it is an example of all the great public art not just in front of city hall but all over the city and county of san francisco. mark comes with a lot of good work behind him and a lot of exciting things in front of him. he was disproportionately responsible for helping us with our sister city's arts exchange program which is one of a kind. is something completely unique and very proud he and matthew and others worked so hard on and i think he will be an outstanding addition. this is an artist in residence program that is an international model. we know jim and ellen and may, their work here in the preservation of san francisco city hall and everything you see around us, the civic center. they appropriately were reappointed by the board and had to be confirmed first and all are outstanding leaders and stewards in their own right. ellen is in my office every day doing tours and jim outside the office every day doing his part to advocate on behalf of city hall and the civic center. and may is everywhere else in the community. ubiquitous and out front and a t

p.j. johnson and the entire commission, and to the passion, persistence, dedication, focus and follow-through of jill, who deserves a big round of [applause] , wherever you want. [applause] >> and to all of our sponsors. i won't begin again, but the hu family and all of you for your contribution. thank you for making this happen. we did want to be audacious, we wanted something bold, something that would get some attention and generate some controversy. the only thing missing -- were seems to love this thing. it doesn't seem to be particularly controversial, which i am surprised. trust me. 10 years ago if someone said they were going to put a 15-ton sculpture anywhere in this tone three stories high, there is no way it would generate anything but headlines and controversial columns. remember the days we were trying to put a foot in the embarcadero and a peace sign? there was a giant spider on thedom of city hall, and everyone we want crazy. you thought the sky would fall in because people were so upset. but in the last few years we have changed perceptions and changed people's hearts and mind