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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 417-07
November 15, 2007

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SPEAKS AT THE 46TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS LUNCHEON

“Thank you, Caroline. I’m delighted to join you all to celebrate this year’s Women of Achievement Awards.   This is the 4th year in a row I’ve made it here.  I don’t think I’ve had a better record of attendance at any other event – except maybe the weigh-in for the Coney Island hot dog eating contest. 

“I also should add that this event caps off what has been a fantastic week for me when it comes to women:  Last night I had First Lady Nancy Reagan over for dinner, and I just filmed my big screen debut – in the new Sex and the City movie.  I played ‘the City.’  I was sure I’d be asked to play Mr. Big but apparently the role was taken.  But today’s luncheon takes the cake.

“What an honor to be surrounded by so many intelligent, ambitious, and successful women – although to be perfectly honest, I feel right at home.  After all, at City Hall I don’t have to look far for a women’s perspective – whether it’s Council Speaker Christine Quinn or any three of my women deputy mayors, including my second-in-command, Patti Harris.  And if there’s something really big going on, I’ll call up my oldest and most trusted confidante- my mother!

“She is 98, still in good health, and still living in the house I grew up in outside of Boston.  I actually don’t get to see her as much as I’d like to; she keeps saying she’s got a very busy schedule – no joke! I’m very proud of her, though.  And grateful for everything she has taught me over the years.  From her, I learned the value of hard work, intellectual curiosity, and the ambition to strive relentlessly for the goals I set.   (And as a woman who had to go back to work after her husband died, she also taught me the value of a career change.)

“These are lessons I carry with me to this day, the lessons that guide me in everything we try to do here in Staten Island – and across all of New York.   And I’m proud to say that in just about every area of city life, we’re making big strides.

“We’ve driven crime down nearly 20% across the borough over the past six years – and creating a 4th precinct is going to help reduce crime even more.  We continue to add new parkland to our greenest borough – and we continue to protect the Island’s wetlands, which are so important to controlling flooding.  We’ve moved ahead with rezoning residential neighborhoods here to maintain their quality of life and preserve their traditional character. 

“And this year, we made Staten Island the first borough in the city to start transporting nearly all of its garbage by rail.  That’s going to take thousands and thousands of trucks off the road each year – meaning less traffic, less pollution, and less noise.  But City government can’t – and shouldn’t – do everything alone.   Staten Islanders understand that – and have demonstrated a strong tradition of civic leadership and volunteerism.  

“Today, we honor seven women who carry that tradition forward.  All of you are incredible examples of professional success and community involvement.  You’ve made your mark in everything from teaching dance, to treating cancer victims, to preserving Silver Mount Cemetery. 

“I’m also excited to see one of the great journalists of our time and the fantastic host at my inauguration a couple of years ago – Barbara Walters.  Barbara’s been a close friend of mine for years – even though she passed me over for Whoopi when a slot opened up on The View. 

“But that doesn’t take away from the fact that she is strong-willed, hard-working, big-hearted, and an incredible role model for women everywhere.  So let me congratulate all of you on your honors and achievements – and thank you for your immeasurable contributions to our city.

“If we continue to work hard and work together we can make sure the best days for the women of our city – and all New Yorkers – are still ahead.”







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