Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at the Latin African American Chaplains Association Graduation Ceremony

September 13, 2014

Mayor de Blasio: Muchas gracias a todos! I like to do this to confuse her when she’s doing the translation. It is such an honor to be with you today and to honor what you are doing for this city—for all five boroughs. The Bronx is very, very good, but you’re doing it for all five boroughs. Now, Bishop Rodriguez mentioned I have a habit of coming here to be with him and to be with all of you. And part of that is my great respect for the work you do, but part of that is my deep friendship with the bishop. And I think everyone in this room knows the kind of leadership he has provided, and I admire that leadership.

[Applause]

Mayor: Wherever he’s gone, he’s built something. He built up a church, starting in 1997, and made it great. And then he founded LACA, because he knew there was a need. And with his great partner, Pastor Joselyn Rodriguez, they founded the Isaiah F. Rodriguez Foundation to support our children. That is a family that has given to us time and time again, and I admire that, and that’s the kind of people I like to spend time with. I want to thank you and talk about the important work you’re going to be doing, but I also want to take a moment to thank my colleague—Minister and Councilmember Fernando Cabrera, thank you for being a part of this today. This is not your typical graduation. It’s not just what you learned in words and books. It’s what’s in your hearts. It’s what you seek to do to reach other human beings. Because this organization grew out of a crisis, when human beings needed help – they needed love, they needed support. After September 11, LACA rose from the ashes of that tragedy. And wherever people needed help, you were there – hospitals, police stations, fire houses, or any place on the street where someone had a tear running down their cheek. Bishop Rodriguez had a vision of being able to reach people in crisis. And because he’s a leader, he reached out to others. He taught them, he inspired them.

Let me tell you one story of Edwin Vasquez. Edwin said—Edwin has a lot of friends here. He said, after 9/11, people were drinking their own tears, and his job was to reach anyone in pain. It didn’t matter what their faith was. He talked about meeting a Muslim man who couldn’t find his son, who had worked at the World Trade Center. He sat with that man and prayed. He talked about a woman who was so desperately searching for a loved one. He sat with her and prayed. And he continues that work today wherever there’s pain. It may be the pain of homelessness, or another loss in someone’s life – Edwin continues the work. And he is but one example of what the bishop set in motion, that every year, joins more and more people into the ranks. This year, 225 graduates, Bishop—you’ve been hard at work, I see. I want to talk about one of the graduates this year. And he’s being honored. Michael Alvarado—where’s the cheers for Michael Alvarado?

[Cheers]

Michael goes wherever there is pain and tragedy – he goes there immediately. Soon, very soon after the tragedy in East Harlem, the explosion in East Harlem, Michael was there, on the scene, helping people. Michael may not be famous, but his actions are heroic, so he’s getting the unsung hero award today. Someone is no less a hero just because they’re not famous. Everyone graduating today has that opportunity to be heroic, whether it comes with fame or not. Something in you has told you this matters. Something in you has caused you to help others, whether you are rewarded for it or not. In fact, I believe many faiths recognize that the greatest acts of charity are those that are anonymous. And that’s what you embark upon—helping others wherever you may find them. And that is a blessing for our whole city. So I am so appreciative that you have stepped forward. I’m so appreciative that you care so much, and it will be my honor to work with you in the years ahead.

[Applause]

[Mayor de Blasio speaks in Spanish]

We are so deeply appreciative. God bless you all.