Orlando, FL, City Council Meeting
22 October 2018
Joseph Richardson (222 words - 1:25)

The fifth invocation at the Orlando City Council. The entire transcript of this and dozens more secular invocations are available at www.cflfreethought.org/invocations

Mayor and Commissioners,

Thank you very much for allowing me to give the invocation today on behalf of the Central Florida Freethought Community.

One of the things I’ve noticed and admired about the city of Orlando is its open arms.

It’s wonderful to see the many ways that Orlando is inclusive with respect to its residents and the way it works for the benefit of all its citizens and not just some.

At a time where divisiveness seems to be rampant, Orlando is showing the way with events, proclamations, and activities that reach out to everyone setting a superb example for all of Central Florida and beyond.

It’s neither a pithy quote nor deeply philosophical, but Franklin Roosevelt was unapologetically blunt when he said…

“We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out.”

It is very heartening to see Orlando doing its part to further this very American ideal of inclusion.

And despite all the administrative necessities that come with your job, I encourage you, as you work this afternoon, to put aside personal preferences, to evaluate hard data, to consider deeply the effects of your decisions, to judge issues rationally, to debate respectfully, to decide fairly, and to continue to include everyone.

Thank you for your service.