Thank you all for joining us this afternoon.

I would like to start by thanking our esteemed Police Commissioner Bill Bratton for joining us today.

Commissioner Bratton has been a strong and steady voice for New York City and we greatly appreciate all he has done the past few weeks.

We are very thankful for you, Commissioner.

I would also like to thank Captain John Chell of the 79th Precinct and Captain Sergio Centa of the 84th Precinct for also coming today.

They are also joined by officers from their precincts- welcome.

I also extend a welcome to Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and Paul DiGiacomo, Vice President of the Detectives Endowment Association.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to your members.

And of course, I extend my deepest welcome to the families of Detectives Liu and Ramos.

With us today are their wives– Maritza Ramos and Pie Xia Chen– along with other members of the Liu and Ramos families.

We are humbled to have you here with us today

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On December 20th 2014, Detectives Ramos and Liu were taken from us.

For New Yorkers, the date of December 20th will forever bear their memory.

It was an unspeakable tragedy which shocked not only New York City — but the entire world.

As we tried to make sense of the senseless in the days that followed, New Yorkers came together as a family to mourn.

We came together because that is what New Yorkers do in difficult times.

While individually we may have our differences– we are all tied together by the common bond of New York City.

No matter how trying the days or how dark the nights – this bond is unbreakable.

At the end of the day, we are all New Yorkers.

And when tragedy hits, we mourn together as one.

While we mourned we also remembered how Detectives Liu and Ramos lived.

We remembered them through the words and stories of family gathered today …. through fellow officers…. and through friends….

We remembered them through the lives they lived.

And in both of your families, we found inspiration in your strength, your courage and your grace.

Your words painted pictures of two exemplary New Yorkers.

Two men who lived for their families.

Two men who lived for their friends.

And two men who lived for their jobs protecting New Yorkers.

Today, we continue to choose to remember Detectives Liu and Ramos for how they lived.

Forever, these two streets will bear their names.

Forever, New Yorkers will remember.

And forever, their memory will live.

Detective Rafael Ramos Way will be on Ridgewood Avenue between Shepherd Avenue and Highland Place in Brooklyn.

And Detective Wenjian Liu Way will be on West 6th Street between Avenue S and Avenue T also in Brooklyn.

Our commitment to you does not end today however, it only starts.

To the families, you will always have a friend in me and in this City Council.

We always be here for you.

To Commissioner Bratton, assembled NYPD officers and union officials, this Council will continue to support you.

And to all New Yorkers we ask that when you pass Detective Rafael Ramos Way and And Detective Wenjian Liu Way we ask that you pause and taken a moment to remember these two extraordinary men.

God bless you and God bless New York City.

Thank you.