?Man, that is something,? Atlanta's 59th mayor said. ?I think I should just sit down!? Then he quickly got to discussing Atlanta's economy: ?Times are tight, and many Atlanta lives reflect that.? The city is starting to see ?the first small, discernible signs of recovery,? the mayor said, but faces big challenges such as reforming the city pension system that saps $1 of every $5 from the general fund.

During his speech, Mayor Reed acknowledged the importance of major players in Atlanta business such as Turner Broadcasting System and Coca-Cola, whose chief, Muhtar Kent introduced Reed. ?I stand here as living proof, Muhtar, that Coca-Cola is a breakfast drink.? Reed also gave shout-outs to several who preceded him, crediting former mayor and ambassador Andrew Young, center, with making Atlanta a true international city and bringing the Centennial Olympic Games to the city.

Several in attendance, including Hartman Simons' A. Summey Orr III, here with Fried Bonder?s Scott Bonder, gave fellow attorney Reed good marks for his uplifting speech that ended with the mayor inviting Atlantans to join him in his quest to make Atlanta an even better city. ?Let's go. Let's be great. I know we can. Come with me.?