Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts Reception Celebrating Dominican Heritage

August 8, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams: Listen, everyone that knows me knows that I may be from Alabama, but I'm Dominican, baby. Boy, the energy. Look at this crowd. Nobody does it like Dominicans, eh? And this is just a warmup for the parade that's coming up in the next couple of days. We are going to show folks how to enjoy this city, and we got an amazing team. My brother, Congressman Espaillat has been a real voice and leader for the Dominican community for so many years. And think about it, it took 110 mayors before we finally got a Dominican as a deputy mayor. Give it up for our deputy mayor.

And she's leading hard. You are seeing the awesomeness of your power. Counsel General, who I met while I was running, has been a real friend each time we traveled to the Dominican Republic, something we did immediately after the election. And you think about your history in this city, your history goes so far back. In 1613 when Juan Rodriguez came here to New York, the first immigrant that ever came to this country from your region, and became a major force and leader. From then to now you are 900,000 strong. You propelled me to become the mayor of the city of New York. And I'll never forget you. I'll never forget this community and what you represent for me.

And all the times, it doesn't matter if I'm in the Bronx, if I'm in Washington Heights, if in Queens, no matter where I go, this community has made it clear, there is no number two to Eric Adams, we are with Eric all the way, and I'm with you all the way, and I appreciate you so much. But I want you to do something for me, I'm going to need everybody for this. We just lost one of our heroes, Alexis Martinez, a police officer. When you think about his loss a few days ago, and then you think about those two powerful young Dominican men, officers Mora and Rivera, you think about the contribution they made to our city. So, can we show their family some love by just having a moment of silence on their behalf?

Thank you so much, and to all of my leaders who are here, all of my Dominican electeds and leaders, and Assemblywoman Rajkumar, who's an honorary Dominican, to all of you, I thank you for your contribution. Our ancestors fought hard so we can get here. We owe it to them to leave a legacy that they left for us. That's my commitment to you, and I cannot say enough for this city to this amazing community, so viva la Dominica. I love you. I appreciate you. What I have is yours, mi casa es su casa. We will always be together no matter what. Let's look forward to our parade coming up.