Houston Mayor Annise Parker sworn in for third term

HOUSTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Annise Parker, mayor of America's fourth largest city of Houston, took the oath of office Thursday for a third and final two-year term. Parker was sworn in Thursday morning by U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore. TV footage showed Parker one hand in air and the other on the Bible held by her life partner Kathy Hubbard. Houston city controller and 16 council members were sworn in subsequently. In her inauguration speech, Parker called for nondiscrimination ordinance, coastal hurricane protections and an end to chronic homelessness. In her inauguration speech, Parker called for nondiscrimination ordinance, coastal hurricane protections and an end to chronic homelessness. Parker said Houston values are the same, yet different from other U.S. cities. "Those are values wrapped in optimism, that anything can happen here," she said. Parker was first elected as mayor of Houston in 2009 and re- elected in 2011. Term limits prevent Parker from running for a fourth term. During Parker's administration, Houston was one of the least affected U.S. cities from the economic recession, thanks to its booming oil industry and large job market. The city has been named as one of the best U.S. cities to raise a family due to low cost of living and sound infrastructures. The mayor hs been promoting Houston into a culturally diversified city and an international trade hub. She has attached great importance to ties with China -- Houston's number one trading partner. Parker contributed to the opening of a non-stop flight between Beijing and Houston in July. Houston has been a sister city of China's southern city of Shenzhen. In an earlier interview with Xinhua, Parker said Houston is committed to expanding its cooperation and exchanges with China in relevant areas and is intent on boosting trade and investment with China.