Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks and Presents Proclamation at Flag-Raising Ceremony for Uruguay

August 29, 2023

Watch the video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sufbSpIj09c

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you so much deputy mayor, and really thank all of you. This is such an exciting day. If you think about it, 198 years, a powerful country that means so much. I remember being in Qatar at one of the World Cup games and you guys pulled off an awesome victory. That was an exciting moment watching you lift up. Uruguay is important to us. It doesn't matter. It's from Jackson Heights to Spring Street Park in Manhattan. The statue of your founder, General José Artigas, is really symbolic. It shows the strength and the diversity of this city, and this is the first time of my understanding that this flag has been raised here at Bowling Green. This is my way of saying to you, you are very much part of the city. The blue, white, and yellow or gold is going to be here as our symbol of strength down in our Financial District.

And I want all of you to tell all those who are waiting in line to touch the bull, we want them to spend a lot of money in New York City while they're here. It's so important to do so. But, as the deputy mayor has stated, you contribute to so many of our South American, Central American, so many of our countries that are part of our neighbors in the south of this country. I see some of my Consul Generals who are here. I want to thank the Consul General for joining us today. I'm really proud of the diversity of this city, what we stand for. Let's continue to lift each other up. Even during difficult times, we can rise to the level as we will rise and raise the flag today. Thank you very much.

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So, Consul General, we want to give you this proclamation on behalf of all New Yorkers, whereas New York stands tall as the city with the largest population of Uruguayans in the United States, and we're grateful for their myriad contribution from artists and activists to entrepreneurs and public officials. The community stands strong and plays a vital role in every sector of The Big Apple, and it's their generosity of spirit as well as their revolutionary ideals that bolster our own freedoms and values.

Today's celebration is excellent opportunity to recognize not only the members of this community, but those institutions that advocate for them, such as the Consul General of Uruguay in New York. Together, we affirm the rich heritage of your country. Congratulations. I, Eric Adams, mayor of the City of New York, make today Uruguayan Heritage Day. Congratulations.

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