Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks At Flag-Raising Ceremony For Belgium

July 19, 2023

Watch the video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXxKexbs6UU

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Real pleasure here. And I want to thank our commissioner and your amazing consul general, and Belgium has a real rich history with New York City.

If you go back and look at our history books, you'll see the connectivity and the relationship of this could have easily have been a little Belgium. The history would have gone in a different direction. But it's part of the melting pot, it's part of the excitement of the city. Like all these people are lining up to take a picture by the bull.

I hope while they taking that picture, I hope y'all spend a lot of money. Spend some money in New York. We like you spending... Leave all your money here. Don't go back to your country with your money, right here.

But think about it for a moment, 1831, of establishing your independence and fighting for what you believe is right, a very rich country and a sovereign nation that means so much to our city. And you add to the melting pot of this great city.

Raising the flag here at Bowling Green is our way of saying to all of our different nationalities that New York City is a welcome pot, and we are excited about all that we bring to make this a great place that we believe it is and will continue to be.

Happy Independence Day. I'm looking forward to raising the flag in the real energy and spirit of the Belgian people. Consul general, thank you so much.