Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at The St. Pat's for all Parade, Holds Q&A

March 2, 2014

Mayor Bill de Blasio: I’ve got my roadie here. Thank you, [inaudible].

I want to thank Brandon Fay and Kathleen Walsh D’Arcy for their extraordinary leadership over years of this beautiful parade. Let’s thank them for all they have done.

[Applause]

I also want to say – I knew Tom Duane before he was a grand marshal and now he’s reached this esteemed status to grand marshal. Tom Duane and Grand Marshal Terry McGovern – let’s thank them for all their great work. 

[Applause]

Our members of congress, Joe Crowley, Caroline Maloney, Grace Meng; our Public Advocate, who stole my office, but she’s doing good work with it; and our comptroller Scott Stringer; our speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito; all the wonderful elected officials who are here – this parade is what New York City is all about. This is a parade that celebrates inclusion, diversity, unity. That is what this city is about. That is what has made this city strong. And when it was started – 15 years ago, right? It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t something that people knew would catch on necessarily, but it was the right thing to do. And a lot of times in life, you have to start something in the direction of progressive values. You have to start a process of change, even when it doesn’t look easy. And soon, over time, you find that people take to it. They understand that this is the right way. They understand that together, we can get somewhere. So I want to credit everyone who’s been a part of this parade for understanding that it was important to have this to set the right tone, to set the right path for all of us. I also am told that there is a great cultural attribute of this parade – that if you walk it, you get cold because of the weather we’re experiencing. You then get to go to a special establishment called Saints and Sinners, where apparently there’s a very restorative Irish coffee, among other available options. 

[Laughter]

So, enjoy this parade because it is what is great about this city. It’s what’s great about this borough. It’s such a great opportunity to celebrate the Irish heritage that has made this city great. One of the foundational elements of this city’s history is its Irish heritage. Let’s celebrate it together today. Éirinn go Brách.

[…]

Mayor: Good afternoon, everyone. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone. 

Let me just say a few things upfront. First of all, it’s really a tremendous honor to be a part of this St. Patrick’s For All Parade. I’ve been marching in this parade for many years. It’s a tremendous celebration of our Irish heritage. It’s something that everyone from the surrounding community participates in. I think it’s really a model of what this city is all about and the diversity that makes New York City great. So, I’m truly honored to be a part of this.

I want to just mention two other things upfront and then if there’s any questions on the things I’m talking about upfront let’s – I’m sorry – let’s do those first and then if you have any other things on your mind after – but the example yesterday of what our men and women in uniform do for this city – the two officers of the NYPD who saved a baby girl in such an extraordinary and exemplary fashion – I just wanted to talk about that and commend them. Officer Michael Konatsotis and Officer David Roussine – this is just an amazing story and we cannot thank them enough. As mayor, I want to say on behalf of all New Yorkers, our gratitude for these two officers knows no bounds.

This is the NYPD at its finest. They saw the father waving down – waving them down because the child has literally – had stopped breathing. These two officers ran to the defense of this child. The presence of mind that they had was extraordinary. One of them, a former EMT, was able to revive the child while the other one drove them to the hospital. And this is just an amazing story, where we would have lost a little 15-month-old girl had it not been for the quick thinking and the professionalism of the NYPD. So, I just want to thank these two officers and tell them the entire city is grateful to them for what they did for this baby girl.

Finally, on a topic that we have spoken about from time to time – the weather. I’m pleased to say the last reports we’ve gotten – or the latest, I should say, reports we’ve gotten from the National Weather Service show that the storm seems to be decreasing. The number of inches of snow seem to be decreasing as well. We could get – we’re hoping to get as little as something in the three inch to six inch range, but certainly the trend is very good. We’re going to keep watching it. We’re going to have our sanitation equipment ready because we all know the storms can change and they can change suddenly. But at this moment, the news is good. Our equipment will be ready and in position. We can safely say, there will be school tomorrow. So, I want all parents to know there will be school tomorrow. And it looks like we may be getting, at least, a little bit of a break with this storm compared to previous storms. I think we’re still on a pace of – I heard the facts the other day – we’re still on a pace to get to the second snowiest weather in New York City history. This is a distinction we do not want to win right now but we may be on the pace for that. But at least tomorrow it looks a little better than we feared. 

So let’s [inaudible] on any of those three topics and then if there’s anything else – the parade, the two hero officers, or the weather situations. Any questions on any of that?

Question: Mayor de Blasio, on the parade, how do you feel about Commissioner Bratton [inaudible]

Mayor: I absolutely respect his decision. I’ve said this is something where we have to respect everyone’s individuality and their right to make their own decisions and I respect his choice. 

Question: Mayor, some folks in the Rockaways were disappointed not to see you yesterday [inaudible] Could you just tell us why you weren’t there [inaudible]?

Mayor: My approach has been to embrace parades that are inclusive [inaudible].

Question: [inaudible]

Mayor: No, I’ve said I respect their right to do that. I think that’s a matter of free expression and I respect that [inaudible].

Question: Mr. Mayor, are you concerned about any [inaudible] in particular regarding [inaudible]? 

Mayor: Any?

Question: [inaudible]

Mayor: Well, you know, I think there will be variations among boroughs but I think the bottom line now is, thank God, the amount of inches of snow seems to be decreasing in each report. Again, I think we’re talking about a three inch to six inch range, at least as of this report. We’ll be checking throughout the afternoon and evening. We’ll be making a final decision about our approach to the storm later on this evening. But right now, thank God, it does seem to be decreasing across all five boroughs. 

Question: And Mayor, what message do you want to send to people about your participation in this parade today?

Mayor: That we are here to honor the extraordinary Irish heritage of this city and the Irish community as one of the foundational communities of New York City, and what makes New York City so great. And we want to do it in a way that respects all people and all communities. And, you know, for 15 years, the St. Pat’s For All Parade has done that – really exemplifies what’s good about New York City. And I’m going to be doing a lot of things to celebrate Irish heritage in the coming weeks and this is exactly the way I think we should celebrate New York City – in an inclusive way. 

Question: Is this the first time you [inaudible]

Mayor: I think others have before – almost positive [inaudible]

Phil Walzak: One or two more, guys. 

Question: [inaudible]

Mayor: 1994 – 20 long years ago.

Question: [inaudible] 

Mayor: It’s too early for me to have any comments on that situation. I believe [inaudible] when I finally get a chance to look at it I’ll see [inaudible]. 

Phil Walzak: Last question, guys.

Question: Mr. Mayor, can you give us your thoughts on what’s going on [inaudible]?

Mayor: It’s deeply troubling and, you know, I think the president was right to tell Mr. Putin that this was something that was very troubling in terms of world order and, you know, respect for sovereign boundaries. And I’m perplexed as to why any nation would do such a thing – as what Russia has done – but I think there’s going to be a very strong response around the world condemning that action and calling for them to pull back.

Phil Walzak: Thank you, guys. 

Question: [inaudible]