♪ >> HELLO, WELCOME TO THE 2021 INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR ROY COOPER AND MEMBERS OF STATE.

I'M ASHLEY WILSON, CHAIR OF INAUGURAL RAL CEREMONIES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE OUR NORTH CAROLINA MEMBERS OF STATE EACH TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES FOR THOSE THAT REPRESENT DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OF OUR STATE.

THIS INAUGURATION IS DIFFERENT FROM CEREMONIES OF THE PAST, BUT WE ARE PROUD TO VIRTUALLY CELEBRATE WITH ALL OF YOU THROUGHOUT THE OLD NORTH STATE.

TOGETHER, WE ARE NORTH CAROLINA AT ITS BEST.

GOOD MORNING, I'M DUANE ANTHONY WALKER OF AME ZION CHURCH, NORTH CAROLINA.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE RECEIVED THE INVITATION FOR THE INAUGURATION.

I'M GRATEFUL TO GOVERNOR COOPER FOR CONSIDERING ME FOR SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO PRAY FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

I'M CLEAR THAT I AM ONE OF MANY CLERGY IN OUR STATE.

TO HAVE SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY IS NOT SOMETHING I TAKE FOR GRANTED.

AS WE DO WITH THE CHALLENGES SURROUNDING THE CORONAVIRUS, PAB PANDEMIC AND DIVISIVENESS THAT DIVIDED US FOR TOO LONG, I'M REMINDED OF GOD'S WORDS, IF MY PEOPLE WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, I'LL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, FORGIVE TTHEIR SINS AND HEAL THEIR LAND.

>> OH, GOD, OUR HOPE FOR YEARS TO COME, OUR SHELTER FROM THE BLAST AND ETERNAL HOME, BEFORE THE HILLS AND ORDER STOOD OR EARTH RECEIVED HER FRAME, THOU ART GOD TO ENDLESS YEARS THE SAME.

WE THANK YOU, OUR GOD, TO WITNESS ANOTHER INAUGURATION OF THE 75TH GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, ROY ASBURY COOPER III.

ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS CHOSEN TO LEAD OUR GREAT STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, WE PRAY THAT GOVERNOR COOPER AND ALL WHO WILL ASSIST IN LEADING OUR STATE WILL BE GIVEN AMPLE STRENGTH AND WISDOM TO GOVERN WITH THE DESIRE TO UNIFY OUR STATE REGARDLESS OF PARTY, OR RACIAL DIFFERENCES.

MAY THIS USHER NORTH CAROLINA INTO A PERIOD OF PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING AS WE GRAPPLE WITH AND CORRECT THE MANY ISSUES OF OUR MUTUAL CONCERN, CRIME INJUSTICE, INEQUITIES, DISPARITIES AND THE RAVAGES OF THE PANDEMIC THAT HAS PARALYZED OUR STATE, NATION AND WORLD.

WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL KEEP OUR GOVERNOR, HIS FAMILY AND ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR FAMILIES SAFE AND HEALTHY AS THEY TOGETHER STRIVE TO BUILD A STRONGER, BETTER, PROGRESSIVE AND UNIFIED NORTH CAROLINA.

IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUS FOR ALL.

>> OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY WORLD RENOWNED JAZZ SINGER NINA FREELON.

♪ ♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HALE AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING ♪ ♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪ ♪ OVER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED ♪ ♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE ♪ ♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE THROUGH, THROUGH THE NIGHT, THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ OH SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE ♪ ♪ FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪ ♪ AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪ >> I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE OUR FIRST MUSICAL PRESENTATION, FOLDS FROM WINSTON, SALEM NORTH CAROLINA WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF OUR GENERATION'S MUSIC INFLUENCERS.

>> GOVERNOR COOPER, CONGRATULATIONS ON STILL BEING GOVERNOR COOPER.

WE NEED YOU.

THANK YOU.

WELCOME TO OUR LITTLE PLACE IN SYDNEY, SAW AUSTRALIA.

THIS IS WHERE I PLAY MY CONCERTS NOW.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'LL PLAY FOR YOU.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

I HAVE A FAN IN THE BACKGROUND.

WISH I WAS THERE TO PLAY THIS.

♪ ♪ ♪ WE'D HIT THE BOTTOM I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT IN A WAY I GUESS IT WAS I'M JUST NOW FINDING OUT WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT MOVED TO THE WEST COAST AWAY FROM EVERYONE SHE NEVER TOLD ME THAT YOU CALLED ♪ BACK WHEN I WAS STILL I WAS STILL IN LOVE ♪ UNTIL I OPENED MY EYES AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND THE CLOUDS CAME TUMBLING DOWN AND IT'S BYE-BYE GOODBYE, I TRIED AND I TWISTED IT WRONG JUST TO MAKE IT RIGHT HAD TO LEAVE MYSELF BEHIND I'VE BEEN FLYING HIGH ALL NIGHT SO COME PICK ME UP I'VE LANDED ♪ ♪ ♪ THE DAILY DRAMAS SHE MADE FROM NOTHING SO NOTHING EVER MADE THEM RIGHT SHE LIKED TO PUSH ME AND TALK ME BACK DOWN UNTIL I BELIEVED I WAS THE CRAZY ONE AND IN A WAY I GUESS I WAS ♪ ♪ ♪ BUT I OPENED MY EYES AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND THE CLOUDS CAME TUMBLING DOWN AND IT'S BYE-BYE GOODBYE, I TRIED TREADING THE SEA OF A TROUBLED MIND HAD TO LEAVE MYSELF BEHIND SINGING BYE-BYE GOODBYE, I TRIED ♪ ♪ ♪ IF YOU WROTE ME OFF I'D UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON SOME OTHER PLANET SO COME PICK ME UP I'VE LANDED ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ AND YOU WILL BE SO HAPPY TO KNOW I'VE COME ALONE IT'S OVER ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ BUT I OPENED MY EYES AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND THE CLOUDS CAME TUMBLING DOWN AND IT'S BYE-BYE GOODBYE, I TRIED DOWN COMES THE REIGN OF THE TELEPHONE CZAR IT'S OKAY TO CALL AND I WILL ANSWER FOR MYSELF ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ COME PICK ME UP COME PICK ME UP I'VE LANDED ♪ ♪ ♪ >> NORMALLY, THE NORTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THIS SPECIAL INAUGURAL EVENT, HOWEVER DUE TO COVID-19, I ALONE WILL BE REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE COURT.

AT THIS TIME, IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

IF YOU WOULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND -- SORRY, COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.

DO YOU, MIKE CAUSEY, SOLEMNLY SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA NOT INCONSISTENT WITH AND DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE OF INSURANCE SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU MIKE CAUSEY, SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, BE FAITHFUL AND BARE TRULY TO THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA AND THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED THEREFORE AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE AS COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF YOUR SKILL AND ABILITY ACCORDING TO LAW, SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO, SO HELP ME GOD.

>> THANK YOU, MR. COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.

>> IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH TO THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR.

PLACING YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND, DO YOU, JOSH DOBSON, SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE INSTITUTCONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF H CAROLINA AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES AS COMMISSIONER OF LABOR SO HELP YOU GOD, AND DO YOU SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES BEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO THE AUTHORITIES ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF AND SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES SO HELP YOU GOD AND DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF YOUR JOB AS COMMISSIONER OF LABOR ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. COMMISSIONER OF LABOR.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT IS NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO APPLY THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF NORTH CAROLINA.

DO YOU JOSHUA H. STEIN SOLEMNLY SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA NOT INCONSISTENT THERE WITH AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES SO HELP YOU GOD, AND DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SERVE THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE EXECUTION OF YOUR OFFICE ENDEAVOR TO HAVE THE CRIMINAL LAWS FAIRLY AND IMPARTIALLY ADMINISTERED SO FAR IN YOU LIES THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> HOW ARE YOU, MA'AM?

>> I'M GREAT.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> GOOD, THANK YOU.

>> IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

IF YOU WOULD PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, TO YOU, CATHERINE TRUITT SWEAR YOU WILL MAINTAIN THE LAWS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES NOT INCONSISTENT WITH NORTH CAROLINA AND DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGE INSIDE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE POWERS OF AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF AND SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE UNITED STATES SO HELP YOU GOD AND DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE AS SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ACCORDING TO YOUR SKILL AND ABILITY ACCORDING TO LAW SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MADAM SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> IT'S MY PRIVILEGE NOW TO ADMINISTER OATH TO THE STATE TREASURER.

PLACING YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND, DO YOU DALE FO FOLWELL MAINTAIN YOU WILL FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS THOSE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES AS STATE TREASURER SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU MAINTAIN YOU WILL FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND BEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THE AUTHORITIES ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF AND MAINTAIN AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE NOT INCONSISTENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY, SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SWEAR ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITIES AND JUDGMENT, YOU WILL EXECUTE IMPARTIALLY THE OFFICE OF STATE TREASURER AND ACCOUNT FOR THE PUBLIC TAXES?

YOU WILL NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY APPLY THE PUBLIC MONEY TO ANY OTHER USE BY LAW DIRECTED SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I WILL, SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. STATE TREASURER.

>> IT'S MY PRIVILEGE NOW TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE NORTH CAROLINA AUDITOR.

PLACING YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND, DO YOU BETH WOOD SOLEMNLY SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT AND MAIN MAINTAIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA NOT INCONSISTENT WITH AND DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE AS AUDITOR SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS AND AUTHORITIES WHICH ARE OR MAY BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THERE HAVE AND ENDEAVOUR TO SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD, AND DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL WELL AND TRULY EXECUTE THE TRUST REPOSED IN YOU AS AUDITOR WITHOUT FAVOR OR IMPARTIALITY ACCORDING TO LAW ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS MADAM AUDITOR.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NORTH CAROLINA SECRETARY OF STATE.

PLACING YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND, DO YOU, ELAINE MARSHAL MAINTAIN YOU WILL FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA THERE WITH AND EXECUTE YOUR DUTIES SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND BEAR WITNESS TO THE AUTHORITIES ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THERE HAVE AND ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL FAITHFULLY AND HONESTLY EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DURING YOUR CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE ACCORDING TO LAW SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO, SO HELP ME GOD.

>> THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS, MADAM SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

SIR, PLACING YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

DO YOU, MARK ROBINSON SWEAR YOU WILL FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA NOT INCONSISTENT THERE WITH AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SO HELP YOU GOD?

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, BE FAITHFUL AND MAINTAIN THE LAWS ESTABLISH TD FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE, THAT YOU WILL DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST I D OF OUR YOU GOD?E AND ABILITY SO HELP DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WITH YOUR SKILLS ACCORDING TO LAW SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

>> WHAT A SPECIAL OCCASION THIS IS.

MY GOODNESS.

THAT'S GREAT.

DO YOU -- STATE YOUR NAME.

>> I STEVEN W.PROXWORTH.

>> DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA AND YOU WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES AS COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO.

SO HELP ME GOD.

>> DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO THE POWEERS AND AUTHORITIES ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF AND DEFEND AND MAINTAIN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT TO THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST BESTOF YOUR ABILITY SO HELP YOU?

>> I DO.

>> DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL WELL AND TRULY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF YOUR OFFICE AS COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE ACCORDING TO THE LAW SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I DO SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> OUR NEXT PRESENTATION IS BY THE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING BLUEGRASS BAND, STEEP CANYON RANGER.

HELLO, GOVERNOR COOPER.

STEEP CANYON RANGERS HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR REELECTION.

WE'RE HONORED TO BE A PART OF YOUR INAUGURAL CELEBRATION.

HERE'S ONE CALLED "HONEY ON MY TONGUE."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ YOU'RE GONNA LEAVE I BETTER GET USED TO THAT I THOUGHT I MIGHT WATCH YOUR BACK ALL THE TIME YOU INTRODUCED ME TO THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, WHO LIGHTS UP THE WAY I DO WHEN YOU WALK UP SMILING OPEN ME RIGHT UP FIND THE JOY OF WAY TOO MUCH FIND THE PAIN IN NEVER ENOUGH DANCIN' THEIR DANCE ARM IN ARM CIRCLING 'ROUND THIS ROOM LIKE THE SUN A'CHASING THE MOON YEAH YOU OPEN ME UP I'M IN MY BARE FEET, STANDING IN THE CLOVER I GOT YOU BUZZING AROUND MY HEAD I DON'T CARE IF I GET STUNG FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY ON MY TONGUE FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY ON MY TONGUE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ YOU CAN'T KEEP A SECRET OR LEAVE A KEEPSAKE ON THE SHELF EVERY LITTLE BIT OF YOURSELF YOU GIVE IT AWAY IS IT MINE TO TELL THAT YOU OUGHTA GO CAREFULLY BABY LEAVE THAT CARE FOR ME RUN ALONG AND PLAY I'M IN MY BARE FEET, STANDING IN THE CLOVER I GOT YOU BUZZING AROUND MY HEAD I DON'T CARE IF I GET STUNG FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY ON MY TONGUE IN MY BARE FEET, STANDING IN THE CLOVER I GOT YOU BUZZING AROUND MY HEAD I DON'T CARE IF I GET STUNG FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY ON MY TONGUE FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY ON MY TONGUE FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HONEY ON MY TONGUE ♪ ♪ ♪ YOU'RE GONNA LEAVE I BETTER GET USED TO THAT I THOUGHT I MIGHT WATCH YOUR BACK ALL THE TIME ♪ ♪ >> IT IS NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA.

SIR, PLACING YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, DO YOU, ROY COOPER SWEAR YOU WILL SERVE THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND PERFORM THE DUTIES PERTAINING TO THE ROLE OF GOVERNOR, DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SERVE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA NOT INCONSISTENT THERE WITH, AND DO YOU SWEAR YOU WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGE INSIDE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO THE POWERS AND AUTHORITIES THAT ARE OR MAY BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOVERNMENT THERE HAVE AND ENDEAVOUR TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE UNITED STATES TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> I WILL, SO HELP ME GOD.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

GOVERNOR.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> ON BEHALF OF RABBI SOLOMON AND MYSELF, OUR CONGREGATION FOUNDED IN RALEIGH IN 1875 AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, WE ARE DEEPLY HONORED TO OFFER THIS PRAYER IN THE INAUGURATION OF OUR GOVERNOR, ROY COOPER, ALL OF THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THIS WEEK IN JEWISH COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WE'LL READ FROM THE BOOK OF EXODUS THAT TELLS THE STORY OF OUR ENSLAVEMENT BY PHARAOH AND WINDING JOURNEY TO THE PROMISED LAND.

ONE TEACHING PROVES TRUE.

WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING, TIMES ARE DIFFICULT AND THE PLAGUES ARE GREAT, THE PEOPLE LOOK TO LEADERS FOR INSPIRATION AND HOPE.

THE GREAT LEADERS OF THE EXODUS, MOSES E AARON, MIRIAM, THEY ALL KNEW LEADING A SUFFERING PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE EASY.

THEY KNEW WHAT WOULD HELP THEM GET THROUGH.

THEY TURNED TO GOD FOR STRENGTH.

THEY STAYED HUMBLE.

THEY REMINDED THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE VESSELS PUT INTO AUTHORITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE WITH ALL OF THEIR HEART AND ALL OF THEIR MIND AND ALL OF THEIR SOUL.

PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN THE PROMISED LAND SEEMED SO DISTANT THAT THE PEOPLE FOUND THEMSELVES IN DEEP DESPAIR, THEY KEPT HOPE ALIVE.

IT WAS THROUGH THE HOPE-FILLED LEADERSHIP THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING THE PEOPLE OUT OF BONDAGE AND LEAD THEM TO THE PROMISED LAND.

IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME, WE KNOW YOU, OUR NORTH CAROLINA OFFICIALS, YOU TOO, WITH GOD'S HELP, CAN LEAD US OUT OF THIS PAINFUL TIME OF DESERT WANDERING AND TO THE PROMISED LAND OF LIFE RENEWED.

IT IS IN THAT SPIRIT WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING PRAYER.

[SPEAKING HEBREW ] >> OUR GOD, THE GOD WE CALL BY MANY NAMES, THE GOD OF OUR ANCESTORS AND THE GOD OF HOPE, AS WE ENTER THE NEW YEAR UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR GOVERNOR ROY COOPER AND MEMBERS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL OF STATE, WE ASK YOU BLESS US ALL WITH A RENEWED SENSE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE COMMON GOOD LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND AND PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.

WE PRAY THE LEADERS AND CITIZENS ARE GUIDED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVANTS SO WE SURVIVE THE CHALLENGING TIMES AND THRIVE IN THEM.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE RESILIENCE YOU HAVE IMPLANTED IN US.

REGARDLESS OF THE FRONT LINE WORKERS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS, IN YOUR EYES WE ARE ALL ESSENTIAL AND COMMITTED TO CARING FOR EACH OTHER AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A HUMAN FAMILY.

AS GOVERNOR COOPER AND OUR ELECTED LEADERS GO FORWARD TO SERVE, WE PRAY YOU BLESS THEM WITH THE WISDOM FOR NORTH CAROLINIANS, BLESS THEM WITH BODY AND SOUL TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE INHABITANTS OF THE STATE.

WE CONCLUDE WITH THE TRADITION, THE PRIESTLY BLESSING FROM THE BOOK OF NUMBERS 6.

WE ASK FOR GOD'S BLESSING UPON ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF NORTH NORTHCAROLINA STATE, THEIR FAMIS AND ALL BEINGS.

[SPEAKING HEBREW ] >> MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU.

MAY GOD'S FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU.

MAY GOD ALWAYS LOOK UPON YOU AND GRANT YOU PEACE.

WE SAY TOGETHER, AMEN.

>> OUR LAST MUSICAL PRESENTATION IS BY CAFE AMARETTO, FROM CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

>> I WROTE MY BLUE-EYED LOVE, THINKING ABOUT MY DAUGHTER AND HER BRIGHT BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES AND BASED ON A MELODY CREATED BY CARLOS CRESPO.

WE THOUGHT THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SONG TO SHARE WITH YOU BECAUSE IT TALKS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AND HOW WELL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THEM HAPPY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT OUR CHILDREN, THE FUTURE GENERATIONS AND HOW THEY INSPIRE US TO CONTINUE BUILDING A BRIGHTER AND BETTER FUTURE.

WITH THAT -- [ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WALKING ON HER TIPPY TOES.

♪ ♪ SHE IS HERE TO STAY THROUGHOUT MY LIFE ♪ ♪ SEEMS THE DAY I MET YOU, MY LIFE HAS CHANGED FOREVER ♪ ♪ LOVING YOU THIS WAY IS SHOWING ME A NEW GAME ♪ ♪ I GIVE YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE ♪ ♪ WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE ♪ ♪ I FEEL THAT I'M ALIVE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [LOSS OF AUDIO ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

I'M ROY COOPER.

TODAY, I'M HONORED TO STAND BEFORE YOU TO ACCEPT BOTH THE OATH OF OFFICE OF GOVERNOR AND THE DUTIES THAT COME ALONG WITH IT.

I'M THANKFUL TO MY FAMILY - OUR FIRST LADY KRISTIN COOPER AND MY THREE DAUGHTERS, - WHO INSPIRE ME EVERY DAY.

TRANSITIONS ARE A TIME FOR REFLETION, AND A TIME FOR LOOKING FORWARD.

MY FIRST TERM IN THIS OFFICE WAS FILLED WITH TRIUMPHS, BUT ALSO TRIALS.

FIRST, THE TRIUMPHS.

HISTORIC PROGRESS TO MAKE OUR STATE MORE INCLUSIVE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEANER.

RECORD JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RURAL AND URBAN PARTS OF OUR STATE THAT PROVIDED REWARDING WORK TO OUR PEOPLE.

UNRELENTING EFFORTS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRONGER.

AND AS FOR THE TRIALS - THE% NATURAL DISASTERS.

THE OVERDUE% RECKONING ON RACIAL JUSTICE.

AN UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

THE EARTHQUAKES - THOSE THAT SHOOK THE GROUND AND THOSE THAT SHOOK THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE'VE HAD OUR SHARE OF TOUGH DAYS.

BUT WE ARE NORTH CAROLINIANS.

AND IN OUR STATE, DIFFICULTIES DON'T DEFINE US.

WHAT DEFINES US IS OUR STRENGTH, OUR RESILIENCE, OUR READINESS TO SUCCEED AT WHAT COMES NEXT.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC FORCED CLASSROOMS TO CLOSE IN MARCH, SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTEERS MADE SURE OUR KIDS GOT FED AT HOME.

WHEN WEARY HEALTH CARE WORKERS NEEDED A BOOST, COMMUNITIES SENT MEALS AND CARE PACKAGES.

WHEN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT RAN SHORT, NORTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURING COMPANIES PIVOTED TO PRODUCE FACE SHIELDS, GOWNS, MASKS AND MORE.

AND LET'S NOT OVERLOOK THE STORIES OF NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

GRANDCHILDREN TALKING AND SINGING THROUGH WINDOWS TO THEIR GRANDPARENTS IN NURSING HOMES.

A PAINTED RAINBOW TAPED UP IN THE HALLWAY.

SNACKS AND SIGNS OF ENCOURAGEMENT LEFT FOR DELIVERY WORKERS FACING LONG HOURS.

AN OVERWORKED NURSE GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE AND TELLING EVERYONE THE BIGGEST SIDE EFFECT IS JOY.

OUR STATE DESERVES A COLLECTIVE PAT ON THE BACK.

AND AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I SAY THANK YOU.

BEFORE LOOKING AHEAD, IT'S WORTH LOOKING BACK A HUNDRED YEARS WHERE NORTH CAROLINA WAS IN 1920.

THE STATE HAD JUST LOST NEARLY 14,000 PEOPLE IN THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC.

AND IN JUST A FEW YEARS, NORTH CAROLINA ROARED BACK.

NEW MANUFACTURING JOBS PAID RELIABLE WAGES FOR THE FIRST TIME TO THOUSANDS OF NORTH CAROLINIANS.

WITH MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS, PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY CARS, AND THAT CREATED THE CHALLENGE OF NEEDING ROADS FOR THOSE CARS TO DRIVE ON SO, NORTH CAROLINA RESPONDED AND BECAME KNOWN AS THE GOOD ROADS STATE.

THOSE ROADS GOT PEOPLE TO WORK, BUT THEY ALSO ENABLED THEM TO VACATION AND ENJOY THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUR STATE.

BUT NOW A CENTURY LATER, THAT CYCLE OF CHALLENGE-AND-RESPONSE CONFRONTS NORTH CAROLINA AGAIN.

WE ARE LIVING IT.

WE CAN SEE IT.

AND WE CAN SOLVE IT.

AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I COMMIT TO FOCUS ON OUR MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES.

THE CHALLENGE OF EMERGING FROM THIS PANDEMIC SMARTER AND STRONGER THAN EVER.

THE CHALLENGE OF EDUCATING OUR PEOPLE AND ENSURING THAT EVERY NORTH CAROLINIAN GETS HEALTH CARE.

THE CHALLENGE OF OVERCOMING DISINFORMATION AND LIES AND RECOMMITTING TO THE TRUTH.

WE CAN RESPECT OUR DISAGREEMENTS, BUT WE MUST CHERISH OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND THE CHALLENGE OF FORMING A MORE PERFECT NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE EVERY PERSON HAS OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS TO THE LIBERTY THAT THEY DESERVE AND OUR LAWS PROMISE.

AS WE ENTER 2021, WE CARRY THE IMPRINT OF OUR PEOPLE'S FRUSTRATION AND LOSS AS WELL AS OUR DETERMINATION AND RESILIENCE.

I HOLD CLOSE THE MEMORIES OF THE SUFFERING AND THE HEROIC NORTH CAROLINIANS.

THIS NEW YEAR AND THIS NEW TERM AS GOVERNOR IS MORE THAN JUST TURNING THE PAGE OF A CALENDAR.

THE LESSONS WE'VE ALL LEARNED MUST USHER IN A NEW ERA.

AN ERA WHERE WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE AND WORK AROUND OUR DIFFERENCES WHILE REFUSING TO SACRIFICE TRUTH AND FACTS AT THE ALTAR OF IDEOLOGY.

WHERE THE DANGEROUS EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AT OUR NATION'S CAPITOL CAN NEVER BE JUSTIFIED.

SO LET'S REACH TOGETHER - TO FIND WAYS ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS CAN AFFORD TO SEE A DOCTOR.

TO GET A QUALITY EDUCATION AND A GOOD PAYING JOB.

TO REFORM OUR SYSTEMS THAT HURT PEOPLE OF COLOR AND TO LIVE AND WORK IN AN ECONOMY THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE OR WHERE THEY LIVE.

LET'S CAST ASIDE NOTIONS OF RED COUNTIES OR BLUE COUNTIES AND RECOGNIZE THAT THESE ARE ARTIFICIAL DIVISIONS.

LET'S PLACE INTEGRITY AT THE FOREFRONT.

WE ARE ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS.

THESE TIMES OF TRIUMPH AND TRIAL HAVE SHOWN US THAT WE ARE MORE CONNECTED THAN WE EVER IMAGINED.

AND ONE THING IS CLEAR, JUST AS WE DID ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO - NORTH CAROLINA IS READY TO ROAR AGAIN.

AND WE WILL DO IT TOGETHER.

AS THE BIBLE TELLS US IN THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES, "TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD REWARD FOR THEIR TOIL.

FOR IF THEY FALL, ONE WILL LIFT UP HIS FELLOW."

NORTH CAROLINIANS HAVE SHOWN WE KNOW HOW TO LIFT ONE ANOTHER UP.

I AM HUMBLED BY THE TRUST THAT YOU, THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAVE PLACED IN ME TO SERVE AGAIN AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

I HAVE FAITH IN YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR FAITH IN ME.

TOGETHER, MAY WE CONTINUE TO BE STRONG, RESILIENT AND READY.

GOD BLESS NORTH CAROLINA AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

>> HI, I'M CHRISTOPHER EDMONDSON IN RALEIGH.

I WANT TO THANK GOVERNOR COOPER, OUR FIRST LADY AND COUNCIL OF STATE FOR INVITING ME TO PARTICIPATE TODAY.

IT IS AN HONOR TO OFFER A BENEDICTION, A FINAL BLESSING FOR THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY.

WE HAVE BEEN REMINDED THAT NORTH CAROLINA IS RESILIENT AND READY.

FROM AVERY COUNTY TO THE SOUND, FROM UPTOWN CHARLOTTE TO SCARBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA IS BEAUTIFUL.

WE LIVE AMONG BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES AND NEIGHBORS OF EVERY RACE, BACKGROUND AND CREED.

OURS IS A BEAUTIFUL STATE.

WE REMEMBER TO CALL IT HOME.

TODAY WE PRAY BLESSININGS UPON R GOVERNOR, COUNCIL OF STATE AND ALL OF OUR LEADERS THAT THE NEXT TERMS WILL BE GUIDED BY FAIRNESS AND WITHIN AN ABUNDANCE OF COMPASSION.

MAY THE BEAUTY OF HOPE GUIDE THEM AND ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS THAT WE SET OUR GAZE UPON A FUTURE DEDICATED TO THE WELFARE OF THOSE YET TO COME AS IT IS UPON OUR VERY OWN.

MAY THE BEAUTY OF CONFIGURATION AND COURAGE BLESS THEM WITH DIVINELY INSPIRED WISDOM, THE KIND OF COURAGEOUS WISDOM THAT DIRECTS THEM TO STAND FOR EQUITY AMONG ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

MAY THE BEAUTY OF THANKSGIVING AND RESPECT HELP ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS TO SUPPORT OUR HEALTHCARE LEADERS AND MAY ALL OF US DO OUR PART TO SUPPORT THEM AS THEY LEAD US THROUGH THE GREAT HEALTH CRISIS OF OUR TIME.

MAY GOD BLESS THE LAND OF THE LONG LEAF PINE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT OF PATIENCE AND COOPERATION.

MAY LEADERS AND CITIZENS LISTEN TO EACH OTHER IN ORDER TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF ALMIGHTY GOD REST UPON EVERY LEADER AND CITIZEN AND TOWN HALL, EVERY COUNTY AND HIGHWAY AND BACK ROAD, EVERY PINECONE AND EVERY GRAIN OF SAND.

THERE IS BEAUTY ALL AROUND US.

MAY GOD BLESS US WITH THE INSURMOUNTABLY SPIRIT OF LOVE THAT WE WOULD LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS WE LOVE OURSELVES AND SEEK THE WELFARE OF ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS IN THE THOUGHTS THAT WE THINK IN THE WORDS THAT WE SAY AND ACTIONS WE UNDERTAKE.