Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Speaks at Public Ceremony in Grassano, Italy

July 24, 2014

Mayor Bill de Blasio: […] our family – for our family, this is an incredible moment – to experience the love and the support of our ancestral hometown. You give us strength and hope in all we do –

[Applause]

– because we all receive our values and our understanding of the world from our ancestors. We all receive our ability to be strong in the face of challenges from those who came before us.

To overcome the challenges we face, we have to draw upon the strength of this history. And sometimes it’s easier for someone from outside to see the strength and the beauty of a place.

When I fight every day for a more fair and just city, it’s because of lessons taught to me by my mother and taught to her by her mother.

[Applause]

So I thank the people of Grassano for helping to sustain us, for giving us hope.

[Applause]

And we will carry Grassano in our hearts wherever we go and in whatever we do.

[Applause]

Grazie a tutti!

[Applause]