Here is a copy of Councilwoman Cindy Bass' speech at President Obama's fundraiser at the Franklin Institute Tuesday.

Hello Philadelphia!

How is everyone doing tonight?

Thank you all for being here tonight. I’m so excited to see such a great turnout and high-level of enthusiasm for President Barack Obama!

It’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Franklin Institute here in Philadelphia. I’d like to thank my fellow proud Philadelphians, Mayor Michael Nutter, and Congressmen Chaka Fattah and Bob Brady, for being here as well.

We all know our city is something special, and we’re thrilled to be able to show President Obama what Philadelphia is all about!

We’re all here tonight because we believe in President Obama’s vision for a better America, a vision that must continue beyond 2012.

We’re all here because despite what you might hear from Mitt Romney, we all know the man in the White House has been hard at work fighting for middle class families and people like us.

Now, I don’t need to tell you how important this election is. Our country is on the cusp of either finally getting back on its feet, or turning back on the progress we’ve made over the last three and a half years.

On the one hand, we have President Obama, a man from humble beginnings who appreciates the sacrifices that working American families have to make every day. A man who is doing everything humanly possible to continue to help our economy recover from the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.

And on the other hand, we have an ineffective former Governor whose state ranked 47th out of 50 in job creation.

Now who do you think has the better idea of how to help everyday folks like you and me? Who do you think is more dedicated to ensuring that hard working American families have enough to pay their bills, send their kids to college and secure their retirement earnings?

I don’t need to tell you the tough road President Obama has had to climb since taking office in 2009. I don’t need to tell you, because that same tough road that he’s had to climb is that same tough road that many of you and our friends and family members have had to climb, and it’s the same tough road America has had to climb.

But you know what? The obstacles are getting smaller, the road is getting smoother, and we’re headed in the right direction!

As a City Council member, I have personally seen the improvements President Obama’s policies have had on issues that Philadelphians care very deeply about.

And four more years under President Obama will continue to mean more police officers fighting crime, more teachers educating our children, more development for our small businesses, and more investment in our transportation and infrastructure.

These are good things! These are important things! And it’s all part of the President’s plan to shore up and expand Philadelphia’s middle-class.

Now I’ve gone on for long enough. In closing, I’d just like to ask you—PLEASE—be sure to vote and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to support our President.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, so please, please, spread the message; we need everyone we can get!

Thank you so much.