Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Flag-Raising Ceremony for Bangladesh

March 30, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Thank you so much. And it's a real symbol as we stand down here at Bowling Green to raise the Bangladeshi flag. We saw Mir being introduced by a dreamer that came to America from Mexico with his mother to participate in the American dream. He's standing next to my commissioner of International Affairs who came from Ukraine to participate in the American dream. And now to have Mir to hold such a high position in City Hall, a Bangladeshi American citizen can participate in American Dream, and to have an African American mayor who understand that it is the uniqueness of our diversity and what we all bring, no matter what corner of the globe we come from, we all have the right to participate. And the only country where dream is attached to its name and that's America. And I'm happy to be the first mayor to have this flag raising and to also host the Bangladeshi community at Gracie Mansion to celebrate the richness of the culture.

But I'm not a new friend. I'm an old friend. I know many of you from the days of being the Brooklyn  borough president. I know how you believe in business, how you believe in family, how you believe in public safety. We see eye to eye on these things that are important for New Yorkers. And so I want to thank you for allowing us to hoist the flag here today. And I also want you to look over your shoulders to the people who are on the line, some of them from out of the country and just ask them to do one thing, spend money while they're in New York. But until then, happy independence to this great community. Thank you.

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