Mayor Annise Parker plans low-key inauguration activities for second term

Just like a second marriage, a politician's second inauguration is always more low-key that the first. That will be the case Tuesday morning when Mayor Annise Parker is sworn in for a second term as Houston's mayor.

U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore will once again administer the oath of office to Parker and City Controller Ronald Green at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony at the Hobby Center, which is open to the public. Gilmore swore in Parker and Green in 2010 after they were initially elected to the offices they now hold.

 Just like a second marriage, a politician's second inauguration is always more low-key that the first 

Parker will then swear in the 16 members of the Houston City Council, including newcomers Andrew Burks Jr., Jack Christie, Helena Brown, Jerry Davis, Mike Laster, Ellen Cohen and Larry Green.

Four-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams; the River Performance Troupe; and The Inauguration Orchestra and Chorus, composed of members of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, Houston MasterWorks Chorus, the Chapelwood United Methodist Chancel Church Choir and Christ Church Cathedral Choir, will perform.

Others on the program include Fountain of Praise Pastor Remus E. Wright, Rabbi Amy Weiss and Jemma Leech, a Pershing Middle School student with cerebral palsy who writes poetry using a computer keyboard. Leech has been featured as "Person of the Week" on the ABC World News.

Parker has eschewed a public celebration like the inaugural concert at Discovery Green held after her first inauguration, where Archie Bell and Yvonnne Washington performed during an unusually frigid night. Instead she will host a by-invitation-only reception for supporters and contributors at the newly renovated Julia Ideson Library late Tuesday afternoon.