Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at Robert F. Kennedy Center Ripple of Hope Awards Dinner

December 16, 2014

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you, and let’s – let’s thank Ella for all she is doing in her bright future.

[Applause]

It is an honor and it is humbling to be in the presence of the Kennedy family. And just want to say, from the bottom of my heart – I don’t think anyone in the history of our country did more to illustrate the challenges, the unfairness, the inequalities – I don’t think anyone did that more than Robert F. Kennedy.

[Applause]

He literally took us into people’s experience, and he demanded more of us as Americans. That was what was so powerful. He demanded that we be as good as the promise of our country. And I say, humbly, I believe if he saw today the state of inequality in this country, I think he’d call us to do more. I think he’d call us to live out his dream – and we must do so.

[Applause] 

I’m so honored to be in the presence of Ethel Kennedy, who’s carried on this work so brilliantly for years; my good friend Kerry Kennedy, who has fought for human rights all over the world. This extraordinary family has done so much for us, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

[Applause]

And you have a lot of friends and you have a lot of supporters who believe in this cause and stick with it. I want to thank in particular, my good friend Robert Wolf, who’s been one of the people who stood by this great organization.

[Applause]

We’re here tonight to honor Robert De Niro – and I don’t know if it gets better than Robert De Niro. I do want to say that it is a great night for the Italians –

[Applause]

– between Robert and Tony and Donato. And I want to say, to the great Hillary Rodham Clinton,

[Mayor de Blasio speaks in Italian] 

[Laughter]

But Robert De Niro is not only one of the greatest actors this country has ever known, he is one of the greatest New Yorkers. His love of this place – he has given his all to this place. He has given his all to people in need in so many ways. And after 9/11, a man who could’ve chosen to just look on, chose to give everything he knew to bringing back Lower Manhattan and bringing back this city, and showing this country what rebirth looked like. 

[Applause]

And when he decides to do something, big things happen – and that’s the Tribeca Film Festival. And that’s the commitment he’s also made with the Tribeca Film Institute and the partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights – to train a generation of filmmakers who will illuminate – just as Robert F. Kennedy did – who will illuminate the truth and move people to action. That is an extraordinary investment in our future and in fairness and in justice. He has stood up, time and time again. He is more than worthy of this award. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ethel Kennedy to present with me the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award to Robert De Niro.