Each of you has an equal claim on me to apply one standard of fairness, to work hard and to persevere to reduce the city's problems. Each of us also has a claim on each other to look beyond our perceived differences to see our more important similarities. All of us sharing in this time, and in this place, our opportunity to write the history of this City. I am confident today. I know how strong, daring, intelligent, and hard working you the people of New York City really are.
Nothing is beyond our grasp.
Your strength was demonstrated within sight of this place, last year at the World Trade Center. Six lives were tragically lost in the bombing, but not one life lost because of the evacuation. It was a day in which 50,000 New Yorkers took charge of themselves and each other, showing on their own even before any city worker could help them that New Yorkers of the 1990's have the same ingenuity, sensitivity, talent and courage that our ancestors had in building our great city. And when the fire fighters, the police officers, emergency service workers, doctors, nurses and others arrived to provide assistance they carried on the evacuation begun by New Yorkers on their own and showed that those who work for our city are the most professional and best in the nation. What we witnessed was a clear demonstration of the spirit that permeates New York City.