We cannot do this alone, however, and so I want to work with the Nation's mayors and encourage them to take on a greater oversight role. This Administration is strongly committed to focused programs and an efficient government that works. And my approach to the task will focus on four governing principles. First, our mission will be to serve people, not programs. Second, we will have the discipline to stick to our mission.
Mission creep is mission death.
Third, we will be good stewards of our resources. Fourth, we will observe the highest ethical standards. This means more than prosecuting graft. It means rejecting the subtler corruption of settling for good appearances rather than insisting on good results. As we seek to fulfill our mission, this Department is committed to continuing a strong relationship with Congress so that together we can make the Department of Housing and Urban Development an efficient and effective fighter on behalf of America's housing and community development needs.