Thank you all for joining us this afternoon.<\/p>\n
I would like to start by thanking our esteemed Police Commissioner Bill Bratton for joining us today.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
We are very thankful for you, Commissioner.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
They are also joined by officers from their precincts- welcome.<\/p>\n
I also extend a welcome to Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolman\u2019s Benevolent Association and Paul DiGiacomo, Vice President of the Detectives Endowment Association.<\/p>\n
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to your members. <\/p>\n
And of course, I extend my deepest welcome to the families of Detectives Liu and Ramos.<\/p>\n
With us today are their wives– Maritza Ramos and Pie Xia Chen\u2013 along with other members of the Liu and Ramos families.<\/p>\n
We are humbled to have you here with us today<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
On December 20th 2014, Detectives Ramos and Liu were taken from us.<\/p>\n
For New Yorkers, the date of December 20th will forever bear their memory.<\/p>\n
It was an unspeakable tragedy which shocked not only New York City — but the entire world.<\/p>\n
As we tried to make sense of the senseless in the days that followed, New Yorkers came together as a family to mourn.<\/p>\n
We came together because that is what New Yorkers do in difficult times.<\/p>\n
While individually we may have our differences\u2013 we are all tied together by the common bond of New York City.<\/p>\n
No matter how trying the days or how dark the nights – this bond is unbreakable.<\/p>\n
At the end of the day, we are all New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
And when tragedy hits, we mourn together as one.<\/p>\n
While we mourned we also remembered how Detectives Liu and Ramos lived.<\/p>\n
We remembered them through the words and stories of family gathered today \u2026. through fellow officers\u2026. and through friends\u2026.<\/p>\n
We remembered them through the lives they lived. <\/p>\n
And in both of your families, we found inspiration in your strength, your courage and your grace.<\/p>\n
Your words painted pictures of two exemplary New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
Two men who lived for their families.<\/p>\n
Two men who lived for their friends.<\/p>\n
And two men who lived for their jobs protecting New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
Today, we continue to choose to remember Detectives Liu and Ramos for how they lived.<\/p>\n
Forever, these two streets will bear their names.<\/p>\n
Forever, New Yorkers will remember.<\/p>\n
And forever, their memory will live.<\/p>\n
Detective Rafael Ramos Way will be on Ridgewood Avenue between Shepherd Avenue and Highland Place in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n
And Detective Wenjian Liu Way will be on West 6th Street between Avenue S and Avenue T also in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n
Our commitment to you does not end today however, it only starts.<\/p>\n
To the families, you will always have a friend in me and in this City Council.<\/p>\n
We always be here for you.<\/p>\n
To Commissioner Bratton, assembled NYPD officers and union officials, this Council will continue to support you.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
God bless you and God bless New York City. <\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thank you all for joining us this afternoon.<\/p>\n
I would like to start by thanking our esteemed Police Commissioner Bill Bratton for joining us today.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
We are very thankful for you, Commissioner.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n