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From The Mayor’s Desk...
A July 4th To Remember Independence Day was truly a special day here in the Big Apple. Everywhere I went – from the Travis parade in Staten Island to the boardwalk in Coney Island to the fireworks show on the East River – people had turned out in force to celebrate the first Fourth of July since September 11. Throughout the five boroughs, New Yorkers showed the world that we won’t let our lives be dictated by fear. Most importantly, we enjoyed a fantastic day of festivities with our friends, families and fellow New Yorkers in honor of the 226th birthday of our great country. The 26th annual Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular was a tremendous capstone to the day’s events. Roughly 500,000 people joined me along the East River to watch a thundering display of patriotic pyrotechnics that included a somber pause halfway through to help us all to remember the 2,800 victims of 9/11. The Fourth of July is about celebrating the freedoms we have here in the United States. It’s also about paying tribute to those who have given their lives to protect that freedom, like the firefighters, police officers and civilians who died at the World Trade Center. That’s why taking time out of the celebration to reflect on their sacrifice was so important. Earlier in the day, I stopped by Rescue Company 5 in Staten Island, a firehouse that lost 11 members on September 11th. Despite everything they have gone through, these firefighters talked about their families and loved ones and about how committed they were to the future and to continuing to rebuild the department. All New Yorkers can take this cue from our City’s "Bravest." We came together to make this Independence Day one of the most memorable celebrations in New York City’s history. Building on that spirit, we will make life in our city better – one of my priorities during the next weeks will be to choose a new Chancellor to head the City’s public school system. New Yorkers were stronger and more united than ever before on the Fourth of July. The result was truly amazing and it made me incredibly proud to be your Mayor.
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