We have the opportunity to make this change not over the course of decades. but in short order," he added.

Jindal said "we have the opportunity -- born of tragedy but embraced still the same -- to make right decades of failure in government."

He noted that "you have often heard me say that we do not have a poor state, but a state with poor leadership. That we do not have a state stuck in the past, but leaders who were unconcerned with the future."

Jindal argued that "if we are honest with ourselves, we can all agree that so many of the stereotypes rang true."

"In our past, too many politicians looked out for themselves. The many arms of state and local government did not get results. And the world took note. Those stereotypes cost us credibility. They cost us investment. They cost us jobs."

He exhorted, "Let us all resolve, Democrats and Republicans, North Louisiana and South, leaders of all races and religions, elected and un-elected, let us all resolve that era ends today."

Jindal predicted that "we can build a Louisiana where our leaders and our people set the highest standards and hold every member of our government accountable." He ended with his now signature line, with the crowd vowing along with him that, "We can change, we must change, we will change."
Image: Jindal waves to the crowd after being sworn in.