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

November 25, 2024

Video available at: https://youtu.be/9i6EuOhXxrA

Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin: Buenos dias. So you know my family is Panamanian and my Spanish is probably the worst because, when I was growing up, we were taught to assimilate so they didn't really speak Spanish that well. But Greggorio is going to help me correct that because I have to speak Spanish fluently and it has to be with a Panamanian accent. And my granddaughter is seven and so we want to insist upon that.  

It's always a pleasure for me to be here with my brothers and sisters from Panama. I had the privilege of meeting the new consul general from Panama. Let's give him a round of applause and a lot of my colleagues from City Hall and of course my Dominican sisters are here with me as we celebrate Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar and of course [inaudible] everyone knows and my sister from Africa, Aissata.  

So we are here celebrating our glorious country of Panama as only New York City can do because we have one of the best friends to Panama that New York City has ever had. You all supported him when he was running to be the borough president. He's from Brooklyn and I grew up in the little strip called Little Panama. They would be like “Mami, ven aca. Usted es Panameña? Como te llamo? Cuantos años tiene?” So they'd be yelling at me when I was a little kid right there and we named the street Little Panama.  

He was the senator for that district then he became the borough president of Brooklyn and now because of the help of the Panamanian community he is now the 110th mayor of New York City. So it's my pleasure and honor to present to you Mayor Eric Adams. 

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Viva Panama. You know it's so important when you look at it and the contribution that the Panamanian community has made throughout the city in general, but specifically in the borough of Brooklyn.  

I think about Franklin Avenue, how the Panamanian community came there and made it a thriving community and it's just important– the first symbol that I show of a contribution to a city and a country is the public safety. When you look at these law enforcement officers of Panamanian descent, they're willing to put their life on the line to make sure that we are safe and make sure that this city continues to prosper and grow.  

This is a significant place here at Bowling Green. When you think about it 241 years ago when George Washington won the war and came to Bowling Green to watch the last British flag removed he then put up the U.S. flag. But for over 109 mayors many countries did not have the opportunity to show their love and commitment to this great country we call America and this great city we call New York. Your flag was not allowed to be presented here, but when I became mayor we stated that we're going to show the diversity of this city. We started raising your flag here and we're doing it again to show how important the Panamanian community and the diversity of this city, what it represents. We're all here together.  

What makes us great is not one language, it's not one culture, it is not one way of life. It's the accumulation of all of our cultures all of our languages, so when we raise the flag we raise our acknowledgements of how much you have contributed to this great city and this great great country. There's no place like New York. Part of my heart feels sad for those who are waiting on the line because they may be from outside the city. There's only one place to be New York City, the greatest city on the globe and one of the greatest contributors is the Panamanian community. Thank you very much. 

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