Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, Department of Aging: We have a fantastic event. I am so proud to be here again at Asphalt Green with NYC Aging, again promoting healthy aging. That's what it's about. It's an age-inclusive city and a very healthy city.
But I'll talk to you later because I've got someone here who really wants to say hello. And who has been one of the strongest advocates for older adults. I want you to know that our budget at New York City Aging, and we all know that it was never large enough, has doubled with this administration.
This mayor has committed himself to older adults. So much so that we're going to have a campaign promoting anti-ageism and making sure that we're an age-integrated city. And that our youth and our older people are treasured and respected together.
And with that, I'm going to give you the man who made that possible. No one other than our mayor, Eric Adams.
Mayor Eric Adams: I really want to thank the Department of Aging and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez for what she has done. And this community means so much to me because everyone that knows me knows that I am a certified mama's boy. I love my mother. You know, I lost her, but I still feel her presence. And I know what you have done for the city.
Everyone now is talking about the power of young people, the power of young people, the power of young people. Listen, I got that. I got that what the future is. But I know what is possible now because of our aging and older adults community. You are the only consistent voter in the country. Only consistent voters. You're not a fly-by-night, come back and forth.
You are consistent because you're concerned about the things that really make a city vibrant. Safety, supporting our law enforcement, educating our children, affordable housing, making sure that we can get the services that we need and deserve. And that's what this administration understood. And that's why we put together the Older Adult Cabinet, so we can hear directly from you on how city agencies can deliver for you.
I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing for the city, what you have done for the city, and what you're going to do in the future for the city. And Asphalt Green, I pass by here all the time. There's always something exciting that's happening here. This is a great partnership between the city and a great organization. So let's keep living healthy.
Many of you know my journey. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My doctor said I was going to lose my sight in a year. I was going to lose some fingers and toes. I decided to get into a healthier lifestyle, and because of that I'm able to look and see you today and able to walk and communicate. We can live a healthy lifestyle moving into our 80s, into our 90s, and into our 100.
Don't let anyone tell you just because of your year that you are living that you must stop living a healthy lifestyle. Engaging, interacting, dealing with health prevention is crucial, and that is what this is all about.
So thank you to all our partners, and I see my assemblywoman is here as well. Let me turn it over to you and say a few more words before we come on. You cannot get a better partner in this area. But thank you so much. Turn it over to the assemblywoman right now.
State Assemblymember Rebecca A. Seawright: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and commissioner. It's great to be here. You're in the 76th Assembly District. I want to invite all of you to stop by my storefront office at 79th and York. As chair of the New York State Assembly Aging Committee, we are fighting for you in Albany. And I want to welcome all of you to this wonderful fair today for seniors provided by Mayor Adams and his great team. Thank you all.
Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez: And now we want to thank our partners because it is about partnerships that make a strong city, Asphalt Green.
Jordan Brackett, CEO, Asphalt Green: Thank you so much, commissioner. I am Jordan Brackett, the CEO of Asphalt Green. At Asphalt Green, we transform lives and build community through sports, fitness, and play for all. Every day we serve over 20,000 people. Every year we give out over $10 million in free programming with the idea that everyone in this city deserves to have their lives transformed through sports and fitness.
The mayor is an absolute inspiration about how he transformed his life through sports and fitness. And that's why we are so proud to partner with the Department for the Aging and others to give out hundreds of free older adult memberships every year and to work with the Department for the Aging to make sure that every older adult in the city has access to sports fitness. So thank you so much for being here.
Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez: All right, and let the fun begin. Thank you all very much.
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