Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at Latin/African American Chaplains Association State of New York Graduation Ceremony

September 12, 2015

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you!

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Thank you so much!

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Muchas gracias a todos!

Translator: Thank you, everyone.

[Laughter]

Mayor: First, I want to give honor to God. Without him, this day would not be possible.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: And then I want to give my great thanks –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – to this good man.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: When Bishop tells you something is going to happen, it happens.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Maybe people need to understand, the road to City Hall runs through this church.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Laughter]

Mayor: Bishop, thank you for your friendship.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Thank you for being a brother in arms.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Thank you for being a leader who brings people forward.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: We are blessed – lets thank him!

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: I also love coming to this gathering because I am among people who truly believe in service.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Helping others is in your blood – it’s in your heart!

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And I love being here because I get to honor you and thank you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I also like to be here for a very specific reason –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – because Bishop is so wise, he chose not only a wonderful wife, but a great translator to marry.

[Laughter]

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: You have to translate it just the way I said it.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Laughter]

Mayor: I – I kind of got her stumbling there, you see that?

Translator: I said no, Bishop, but he told me no you have to translate.

[Laughter]

Mayor: Brothers and sisters –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor:  – thank you. Thank you for choosing to go forward in this way, and help people who need you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Remember, LACA came out of what may been the toughest day in the history of this city, 9-11.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And LACA represented all that was good about this city, because it was open to anyone who wanted to help others.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Putting faith into action.

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Mayor: Training people who had a special gift to do even more.

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Mayor: And because of LACA, chaplains have gone to the front.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: To the hospitals, to the prisons, to the fire stations, to the police houses – whatever. Wherever there was a need, that’s where you went.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: When someone needs to be uplifted, you’ll find LACA there.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: So the 150 more join the ranks today, is that right, Bishop?

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: 150 more soldiers for what’s good and right.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: You know, I have a flock too, Bishop.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I have a very big and complicated flock.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I have to minister in my own way.

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Mayor: My flock doesn’t fit into one building.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: 8.5 million people.

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Mayor: And they are wonderful people.

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Mayor: They are beautiful people – 

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Mayor: – from every corner of this earth –

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Mayor: – from every faith –

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Mayor: – but they still need all of our help.

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Mayor: Because this is a place that can uplift us, or can sometimes hold us back.

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Mayor: Not the easiest place to live.

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Mayor: It’s the best place to live –

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[Applause]

Mayor: – but no one said it was the easiest place to live.

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Mayor: I’ve never had one of the 8.5 million come up to me and tell me how easy this place is.

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Mayor: But we love it so deeply.

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Mayor: And I would argue we may be the great human experiment here in New York City.

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Mayor: We may be the proof that people actually can work it out together.

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Mayor: You ever heard of that song that said if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere?

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Well, one way of thinking about that is, if the entire human family joined in one city –

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Mayor: – if we can overcome our differences and our challenges –

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Mayor: – if we can be a beacon of hope –

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Mayor: – maybe the rest of the world can follow.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Each and every one of you is a beacon of hope.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Each and every one of you makes this city what it’s meant to be.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Because you won’t let division overcome us.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: You won’t let human weakness hold us back.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: You don’t allow someone to fall down and not get picked back up.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: If there is a dream of what this place can be, you are both dreamers and the actors.

Translator: Amen

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Let me give you one example.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: A woman named Abigail Maldonado –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – is Abigail here today?

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Abigail, stand up please

[Applause]

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: My dear sister, it is an honor to meet you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I’m going to tell your story, if I may.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Like so many good New Yorkers, she comes originally from Puerto Rico.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: But Abigail’s life was not always easy.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: In fact, it spiraled out of control for a period of time.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Like so many good people, drug addiction over took her.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She lost her kids, she lost her home.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And as if that wasn’t bad enough, she learned she was HIV positive.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: But she found strength. 

Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Despite all the pain she found strength.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: She found strength in God.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She decided to turn her life around.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She got clean.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And right there, brothers and sisters, we could have said, what a success Abigail is.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She could’ve stopped right there –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – but she decided to go farther.

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Mayor: She wanted to help people who had gone through that same tough path.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She wanted to help people overcome addiction.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She wanted people to overcome homelessness.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She had a good friend, who was a chaplain through LACA.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: This friend told her what was possible because of this wonderful organization.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Now, a woman who was weak is strong.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Give her a standing ovation.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Now, Abigail –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She goes to the homeless to help them.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She delivers food and clothing.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Brothers and sisters, she delivers something I would argue is even more important – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – she delivers a message – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – a powerful message.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Un mensaje de amor y esperanza!

Translator: A message of love and peace!

[Applause]

Mayor: She shows people – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – she doesn’t just tell them –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – she shows people what they can do to turn their lives around.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: She says, “I was down –“

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Mayor: “– but I made my way through –“

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “– to a better place.”

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “Come with me to a better place.”

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Imagine how many lives are being turned around right now because of this brave sister.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: And 150 more joining the ranks today.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: It’s a very powerful moment in this city to reflect upon Abigail’s path – and every one of you, the path you have chosen.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Because Bishop showed us from the beginning, we want all people of faith working together.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And we recognize a great voice of faith regardless of what affiliation he or she has. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And so we prepare in this city to welcome Pope Francis.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: We prepare to welcome a great man of conscience.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And you will see how his words and this mission today fit perfectly together.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Because he has asked that when we talk about his visit to the United States, we invoke the Gospel of Matthew.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: This is what His Holiness has asked leaders all over this country to talk about.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Let me offer you these words from the Gospel –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – “For I was hungry and you gave me food –“

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “– I was thirsty and you gave me drink –“

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “– I was a stranger and you welcomed me –“

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “– I was naked and you clothed me –“

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “– I was sick and you visited me –“

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: “– I was in prison and you came to me.”

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Isn’t that what you are devoting yourselves to this very day?

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: I have to tell you – in this city, we are capable of great things.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: It is so powerful that that great voice of conscience who is Pope Francis will now be in this great center of this earth.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: It will be a moment of profound faith for everyone.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: A vision for everyone.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Because here, visions actually become true.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: You are evidence of that fact.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Abigail is evidence of that fact.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: It can happen here –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – if we make it happen here.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Bishop always encouraged me on my mission.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And he would remind me that no one said it would be easy –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: That there may be a critic or two along the way –

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – maybe even a few more.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Laughter]

Mayor: But that doesn’t mean the mission isn’t right.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: In this city, extraordinary things can happen.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: So I said we will not accept a status quo that leaves so many people out.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And I said we can actually change things right now – not someday – right now. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Do you believe in changing lives right now?

Audience: Yes!

[Applause]

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Just on Wednesday, for the first time in the history of this city, 65,000 children arrived for full-day pre-k. 

Translator: Amen.

Mayor: 65,000 children. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: When I came into office, only 20,000 children received full-day pre-k each year.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Do you think that those 65,000 children’s lives are about to change for the better?

Translator: That’s right.

Unknown: Yeah!

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: When I came into office – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – a lot of people felt they were being treated unfairly. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: They wanted a deeper connection with the police who serve them.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: But for too many of our young people of color, they felt a distance. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And I believe that was because of a mistaken policy of stop-and-frisk. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: So we said we will prove to you we can make this city safer, but also respect each and every person. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: And brothers and sisters, don’t believe the critics.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Believe the facts.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Crime is going down in New York City.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And with your leadership, crime’s going to go down even more.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: I want to say one more thing.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: When I came into office, I said people are being forced out of the neighborhoods they love. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: The people who created those neighborhoods couldn’t afford to live there anymore. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: For anyone from the Bronx, the people who stood by and stood through the tough times – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – now couldn’t afford to live in the neighborhoods that they brought back. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And I said this needs to be a city for everyone. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: So I said we were going to build enough affordable housing for half-a-million people.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Half-a-million people.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Bishop, do you think that people said, oh, that can be done, we’re right there with you?

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Bishop is a man of God but he understands the human condition. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: The critics said it couldn’t be done.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: In the last year, we have started enough housing in one year for 50,000 New Yorkers.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Times ten is enough for 500,000 New Yorkers.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: So I just want you to know – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – dreams do come true.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: We can reach higher.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Anyone who tells us that we can’t do it, tell them yes we can.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Si se puede!

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And I’ll conclude with this – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I am personally proud of each and every one of you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: We’re in the same profession, brothers and sisters.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: We are in the profession of serving those in need.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: And I am honored to now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with each and every one of you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I can only imagine the great things you’re going to do.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: You may not read about it in some of the newspapers.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: But when you turn lives around, I, for one, will say thank you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And I will always be here to honor you. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And speaking of which, Bishop, I believe we’re going to honor some special people right now.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I have some citations that I want to name.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: I want to name five people who have done so much – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – in all five boroughs – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – through their faith – 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: – to make the community better.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: My dear friend Reverend Doctor Gabriel Salguero. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Minister Diana Vasquez.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Chaplain Gladys Deltio.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Translator: She’s in the hospital.

Mayor: Okay, I want you to visualize Gladys right here.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Okay? Chaplain Lolita Cordero. 

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Does someone have a milk crate or a phone book or something?

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Laughter]

Mayor: And Chaplain Augustin Rodriguez.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: God bless you, brothers and sisters.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Go forth and do great things.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: And we’ll be with you every step of the way.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

Mayor: Thank you.

[Translator speaks in Spanish]

[Applause]

Mayor: Muchas gracias!

Translator: Let me take a picture, Mayor.

[Applause]