Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Flag-Raising Ceremony For Dominican Republic

August 28, 2024

Commissioner Manuel Castro, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs: Okay, we're running up against time. So let me get this right. ¡Que viva la República! ¡Que se escuche! Now I'm incredibly honored to introduce to you our Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar.

Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar, Strategic Initiatives: I have to put the mic down. Good afternoon, everybody. It feels like we're back home in the Dominican Republic, 95 percent humidity, 95 degrees. But it's always good to be among my people, the warmest community in the entire planet. And welcome to our flag raising for the Dominican Republic.

As the commissioner mentioned, I am Ana Almanzar, deputy mayor for Strategic Initiatives. I have the great honor to serve Mayor Eric Adams as the first Dominican… After 100, that's right, as the first Dominican deputy mayor of the City of New York. And working with an amazing team and having the opportunity to serve my city, the city that took me and my family with open arms. We had nothing except our drive to work hard and to make our life here.

I see many of my colleagues here who are always cheering me on as I walk into City Hall every morning, letting me understand that I am not alone. That I have a great team of dedicated Latinos and Latinas from Peru, Gladys who's here, from Puerto Rico, Ivette. From the Dominican Republic that I got the chance to bring other women along with me. From our pioneers who have been working on behalf of the entire community, cheering me on and letting me know when I have to be on the camera, our own and very own Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. Yes, my very well, great colleague, Denise Felipe-Adams, who's always a force for the Dominican community. From Bushwick, Brooklyn, I should say. And a pioneer to the entire Dominican community, our commissioner, Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, without his work and everything, yes, that he has done for the Dominican community, I wouldn't be standing here today.

I know that one of our honorees mentioned my alma mater, Hostos Community College, and it's always a great pleasure and an honor to represent them and to represent all the students that I know who have accomplished great things. There's one thing I have to say, and I thought I would say it before I start, but…

Como dice Johnny Ventura, yo soy Dominicana hasta la tambora.

Translation: As Johnny Ventura says, I am Dominican through and through.

Y sé que muchos de nosotros aquí lucharemos, discutiremos y debatiremos sobre... quién es el mejor, [¿El Licey (equipo de beisbol de la República Dominicana) los Cibaeños con sus Aguilas.]

Translation: And I know that many of us here will fight and argue and debate about, quién es el mejor, [¿El Licey (baseball team from the capital of the Dominican Republic) chatter back and forth-los Cibaeños con sus Aguilas (eagles)]

Pero una cosa que nunca estamos en desacuerdo es en el lema de nuestro país, en el lema de nuestra nación, que es Dios, patria y libertad, y que sigamos así. Para mí es un gran placer, y voy a decirlo en inglés…

Translation: But one thing we never disagree on is the motto of our country, the motto of our nation, which is God, country and liberty, and let's keep it that way. It's a great pleasure for me, and I will say this in English.

It is our pleasure and honor to carry the motto of our country, God, country, and liberty. And it is my honor to introduce the mayor, un Dominicano de Corazón, the mayor of the greatest city on Earth, Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Hola, mi gente. You know, I say over and over again, my family is from Alabama, but I'm Dominican, baby. Excited, when you think about 900,000 strong and the rich tradition and culture of the Dominican community and its contribution, I think nothing is more powerful than that and personifies that more than who's to the left of me. The Dominican Officers Association, as they continue to rise in numbers, and they play a vital role in protecting our city.

When you place your life on the line, it is one way of stating that your love of this amazing city we call New York, an amazing country, of the only country where you're told not to abandon your culture, but to bring it and be part of this rich experience. And my travels to the Dominican Republic, the level of love and affection of here that we have, of the population here in the city. And I learned, don't talk Dominican baseball. Leave that alone, don't get in that conversation, stay focused and not get anywhere involved from the north and the south.

But this flag raising is crucial. And the presence of Dominican leadership and government. I know Deputy Mayor Almanzar announced some of our colleagues but think about it. Ydanis Rodriguez is in charge of the largest Department of Transportation in the country, Dominican. To have the portfolio of what Deputy Mayor Almanzar, first Dominican, 110 mayors, the first Dominican to be a deputy mayor in the City of New York. That just states a lot. And then when you have the first Spanish speaker to be the police commissioner of the City of New York, the largest police department, you just see the immersion and the reflection of the diversity of this administration.

This administration looks like the people that they are representing. We are clear on that. And we're gonna continue to move forward in an amazing way and make sure that we not only raise the flag, but raise the quality of life for the people in this city in general, but specifically those of the Dominican community.

I thank you for what you do. I thank you for your contribution. You believe in family; you believe in faith. You believe in small business, and you believe in public safety. That's the cornerstone that is going to continue to allow our city to thrive and grow. Let's raise the flag. Let's show our real pride of what this community has represented for years. Thank you very much. Yeah.

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