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

November 29, 2023

Commissioner Lorraine Cortés‑Vásquez, Department for the Aging: Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Mil gracias. You know, I want to remind all of you why are we celebrating this on this fabulously cold day? And it is because November is Puerto Rican History Month and Puerto Rican Heritage Month.

There are some that said it was discovered in November 17th; we say it was encountered, because it was always there. So, we are… What? We weren't lost, right.

So, we were encountered on November 17th. So, I am so proud of a mayor who said, you know what? I got a resilient group of administrators and commissioners who can weather this cold storm because they love nothing more than their country, they love nothing more than to celebrate their history, and they love nothing more than to celebrate and honor their flag.

So, thank you, Mr. Mayor, for giving us that opportunity. And I want all of you… 

Now I really want to thank you, for knowing how resilient we are, how we can endure cold weather, but more importantly, mayor, for honoring our culture, our history and our people. And with that, I present to you, I believe the coolest is mayor of the City of New York, our mayor, Eric Adams.
  
Mayor Eric Adams: Yes, yes. Amazing. And we join, you know, resilient lawmakers also, our good friend Marjorie Velázquez, the councilwoman, good to see you. Robert Rodriguez, Secretary of State; and José Rivera, former assemblymember. There's only one thing I'm clear about: we are not in San Juan, because it is not hot right now.

But the spirit and energy of the Puerto Rican community is alive and well, and as we… I just want to take a moment to reflect on one of my heroes that transitioned a few days ago, the amazing Pablo Guzmán, one of the Young Lords, a journalist, a real fighter that stood up for the Puerto Rican people and people across this entire city.

So, if we could just take a moment to reflect on Pablo Guzmán, an amazing, amazing brother and a real mentor for me for many years.
  
Thank you. And as we think about those who transitioned and honor them, let's honor those who are here with us today. And I have three proclamations I want to give out to three just Puerto Rican heroes who have made things for our community and stood firm for so many years.

The first is my good friend Jose Rivera. Come on up, Jose. Jose's here.

Yeah, he can't handle his camera. Wherever he goes, the camera goes. Longtimer assemblyman, real freedom fighter. Just look up his legislation and all the great things he has done.

Jose Rivera: Hey, now I know I made it.

Mayor Adams: And my brother, you know, I think every elected official knows him from HITN, the great Mike Nieves, the political strategist.
  
Rivera: You all know this, the mayor is holding the flag that is for freedom, because he believes strongly that we all should be free.

Mayor Adams: And the last representing Dr. Edwin Meléndez, a representative from his organization. Thank you very much.

I'm doing an abbreviated version because I know you're all shivering, you know. And listen, when you look around, I always say the symbol of how you really contributed to our community, you look at those men and women in the law enforcement community who are here protecting our streets, keeping us safe.

And here just really understanding when you are willing to give back on the public safety, you're willing to say that you're going to stand up on behalf of not only your community but the city on the whole. So, viva Puerto Rico!

Happy independence, you were always independent, you never were discovered, you were always there.

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