Governor Hochul: “[I] want to tell you as the Governor of the greatest state and the greatest country in the world, I am so proud of you and this project. Now we look at that steel beam, turn around and look at that. That is a symbol, a symbol of greatness, a symbol of strength, a symbol of resiliency and the strength of our union movement.”
Hochul: “I thank you for having the vision, the vision that has always made this city so spectacular. But now for future generations, they'll know that, yes, back in 2023, 2024, and when this opens in 2025, they'll know we are also capable of greatness. And that is going to be your legacy as well.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at the 270 Park Avenue tower topping out ceremony in Manhattan.
VIDEO of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.
AUDIO of the Governor's remarks is available here.
PHOTOS of the event will be available on the Governor's Flickr page.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Well, the boss says these are the glory days, I say this is indeed a glorious day because of all of you. And I want to tell you as the Governor of the greatest state and the greatest country in the world, I am so proud of you and this project. Now we look at that steel beam, turn around and look at that. That is a symbol, a symbol of greatness, a symbol of strength, a symbol of resiliency and the strength of our union movement.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for Labor, who is building the most magnificent building in the world. You can do better than that. This is for you. You did this. You showed up when it was raining out, it was cold and snowing out. You showed up when there was a pandemic. You kept showing up. And now this is part of your story, your family's story. And as you heard, when you walk by here, not just now, but for generations to come, your grandchildren are going to know that you were a part of making the New York story even greater.
So, wear that pride. I'm proud to be the granddaughter and daughter of a union worker, a steel worker from Buffalo, New York. We made steel up there. And I'm proud to be the niece of an iron worker because I know how hard Uncle Tommy worked. I know how hard you worked, but your heart and soul are what makes New York City so spectacular.
So, I thank all of you, and I thank not just labor, but the business leaders like Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan Chase for believing in New York. Because without you investing and believing and rebuilding and building monuments to the skies, then we're not the greatest city. We are great because of businesses like JPMorgan Chase, and also people who are great innovators.
Janno Lieber and the MTA. Many thought this was impossible. How could you possibly build this building on top of the tracks that are down below? And all the individuals who had the blood, sweat and tears to figure it out. And the support from all of you. I thank you for having the vision, the vision that has always made this city so spectacular. But now for future generations, they'll know that, yes, back in 2023, 2024, and when this opens in 2025, they'll know we are also capable of greatness. And that is going to be your legacy as well. Thank you to everyone involved for making this day so spectacular, and indeed, a glorious day.