Ed Koch, the fiery New Yorker who served at the city’s mayor for three terms, died today at age 88. Politicians and friends expressed their grief today.
Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York:
“Earlier today, New York City lost an irrepressible icon, our most charismatic cheerleader and champion, Edward I. Koch. He was a great mayor, a great man, and a great friend. In elected office and as a private citizen, he was our most tireless, fearless, and guileless civic crusader. Through his tough, determined leadership and responsible fiscal stewardship, Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback. We will miss him dearly, but his good works – and his wit and wisdom – will forever be a part of the city he loved so much. His spirit will live on not only here at City Hall, and not only on the bridge the bears his name, but all across the five boroughs.
“I’m expressing my condolences on behalf of all 8.4 million New Yorkers, and I know so many of them will be keeping Mayor Koch and his family and friends in their thoughts prayers. As we mourn Mayor Koch’s passing, the flags at all City buildings will be flying at half-staff in his memory.”
Bill De Blasio, Public Advocate:
“”When Ed Koch said ‘How’m I doing?’ it was both a boast and an act of humility. That simple phrase captured the fact that he was deeply connected to everyday New Yorkers. And that connection fueled his urgency and his greatness. He helped bring us out of the fiscal crisis, he helped bring the South Bronx back, he helped give us hope again—all because it was personal for him. He simply wouldn’t let New York City fail. Like many, I often disagreed with Ed. But I also got to know and learn from this great man, with a heart and mind as big as the city he loved. Ed Koch is gone now, but his energy and inspiration can never be forgotten by those of us lucky enough to have known him.”
Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York:
“With the passing of Ed Koch, New York has lost one of our most admired public leaders. Ed Koch embodied the highest ideals of public service and his life was dedicated toward making New York – the city and our state – a better place for all. From his days on the front lines of World War II, his time in Congress, to his leadership as Mayor guiding New York City through difficult years, Ed Koch never strayed from his unwavering commitment to serving others.
“No New Yorker has – or likely ever will – voice their love for New York City in such a passionate and outspoken manner than Ed Koch. New York City would not be the place it is today without Ed Koch’s leadership over three terms at City Hall. Mr. Mayor was never one to shy away from taking a stand that he believed was right, no matter what the polls said or what was politically correct.
“Many times in my life I have turned to Ed Koch for his advice and guidance. Just yesterday I spoke with the Mayor to wish him courage and strength, and let him know he was on all of our thoughts and prayers. I will miss his friendship, and we will all miss his perpetual optimism and tireless commitment to continually striving to improve our city, state, nation and world. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I send my condolences to his family and friends.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York:
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says Catholics had a special place in their hearts for Ed Koch.
Dolan noted Friday that Koch became a close friend of the late Cardinal John O’Connor despite “some deep philosophical agreements.”
They worked together for the good of New York City.
Dolan says Koch described himself as a “proud Jewish man.” But as a mark of respect, St. Patrick’s Cathedral always held a seat at Midnight Mass for the mayor.
Thomas DeNapoli, New York State Comptroller:
“The world is a less interesting place now that Ed Koch has left us. When times were tough, he was tougher and his resilience, sense of humor and candor made him accessible to his millions of admirers.”
David Dinkins, Former New York City mayor:
“He’s the guy who saved our city. He paid off the loans on the federal government, ahead of time. So he did a lot of good stuff.”
Kirsten Gillibrand, US Senator for New York:
“I am deeply saddened that we have lost a true champion for New Yorkers. Mayor Ed Koch was as singular and unique to New York City as the Empire State Building. I will always fondly remember the last time I saw the Mayor, our conversation went from Middle East policy, to the best Chinese food in New York City to movies, only as Ed Koch could. His great intellect, wit, humor, passion and compassion will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.”
The Consulate General of Israel in New York:
“The ties between New York and Israel, between the United States and Israel, are as strong as they are today because of towering figures such as Ed Koch.”
The Rev. Jesse Jackson:
“He helped a lot of people. … I have an appreciation of his work as a public servant.”
Ray Kelly, NYPD Police Commissioner:
“In many ways Ed Koch never stopped being mayor. He was personally engaged in the issues of the day, including those involving the Police Department, frequently seeking information from us and offering his opinion personally and in writing. I was privileged to consider him a friend and I am grateful that I had a few more times to be with him, on Tuesday and again last night, before he finally left New York for someplace better – although he’d probably argue that’s not possible.”
Peter King, US Representative for New York:
King called Koch “a true friend and trusted advisor.”
“Ed Koch personified the spirit of New York. New York’s Mayor For Life is now New York’s Mayor for eternity,” King said in a statement.
Joe Lhota, former head of the MTA and mayoral candidate:
“Ed Koch’s bold personality was perfectly emblematic of New York City:
loud, funny, out-going and in-your-face. When he walked the streets of New York, with his arms stretched above his head, yelling: “How am I doing”? it wasn’t just a rhetorical question – – he really wanted the people to answer. Why? He wanted to always do a great job serving the City he loved.
“For me, I will always remember Mayor Koch holding press conferences without his jacket, in a wrinkled shirt with his sleeves rolled-up, jousting with reporters. He loved every minute of it. He always represented the hard-working people of the City. Personally, I will always be thankful for Koch’s leadership in bringing the City out of the Financial Control Period. He was flawless in getting the City back on its feet.”
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President:
“All of Brooklyn joins in mourning the passing of one of our city’s greatest and most charismatic leaders, Mayor Ed Koch. Although he was born in the Bronx and raised in Newark, Mayor Koch lived with his family in Brooklyn as a young man, and I have no doubt it’s where he got the Brooklyn attitude, swagger and “chutzpah” that made him such a character and helped him navigate New York City through some of its most challenging times. The Brooklyn flag over Borough Hall will be lowered in remembrance of this one-of-a-kind New York icon, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Ruth Messinger, City Council member and mayoral candidate:
“Ed Koch was an extraordinary man and mayor, passionate about New York City, passionate about government, committed to the people who worked with and for him. He was always as outsized as the city to which he devoted most of his life. Ed Koch appointed highly skilled people, whether or not they agreed with him on every issue, encouraged them to use their expertise, listened and learned from them in private, but also always acted as he thought was best. He commanded unbelievable levels of loyalty and friendship from those in his inner circle.
“Ed Koch led the fight to rescue New York City from bankruptcy and put it on an even keel, persevering even when his positions were unpopular. Even if you disagreed with him, and I certainly had at least my share of disagreements, you always knew he believed intensely in what he said and did. Ed Koch should appropriately be remembered, also, for actually overseeing the creation of both temporary shelter and affordable housing for New Yorkers in need.
“And Ed Koch continued to be a city leader and cheerleader until the day he died. He picked his issues, endorsed candidates, put out his opinions for his email and tv audience, basking in the support of many and continuing to enjoy a good fight with those who saw things differently. He and even shared his regular and excellent movie reviews with a large email audience.
“Ed stayed current with local and world affairs, knew exactly what I was up to, talked with me quite recently about my current work, was always ready to learn something new and, of course, to have an opinion about it as well.”
George Pataki, Former New York governer:
“From his outspoken honesty, to his great New York accent, Hizzoner was larger than life. His wit, his wisdom, his candor and his irrepressible spirit will be sorely missed.”
Christine Quinn, City Council Speaker and mayoral candidate:
“All of New York City is in mourning today as we say goodbye to a great mayor, a great man, and a great friend.
“Ed Koch dedicated his life to the five boroughs. He loved this city fiercely and it loved him back. He saved us from the brink of bankruptcy, raised our spirits, and restored our city’s reputation in the world. He rebuilt our crumbling infrastructure, adding more than 150,000 units of affordable housing. And after leaving office he continued to make New York a better place, inspiring us through his writing, his activism, and his commitment to change.
“But he was more than just the sum total of his accomplishments. Mayor Koch was larger than life. He stood taller than the bridge that bears his name. His sense of humor and tenacious spirit personified this town. Ed Koch was New York.
“I can remember seeing him on TV when I was a little girl and thinking to myself, “If I could ever meet him it would be a dream come true.”
“Years later when I was working at the Anti-Violence Project, I was in the midst of a very public battle with City Hall. Mayor Koch called me out of the blue. I had never spoken to him in my life. He told me, “You’re doing the right thing. Don’t back down, and call me if I can do anything.”
“Mayor Koch was never one to back down from a fight, and never above reaching out to a stranger to offer his help. Throughout my years in government, some of my proudest and fondest moments have been working and fighting by his side.
“He once said, “I don’t want to leave Manhattan, even when I’m gone. This is my home.” Ed Koch will never leave New York City. He will exist forever in our hearts, and in the millions of lives he touched.
“On behalf of a grateful city, I want to extend my deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and all those who loved him.”
William C. Rudin, Chairman, Association for a Better New York:
“Our City mourns our beloved Mayor Ed Koch, and we mourn a dear friend. Mayor Koch was a stalwart leader for New York City. His dedication and love for New York never wavered. His wit, charm and humor were matched only by his passion for the city he loved. He led New Yorkers through many of the most trying times we’ve faced, including the near-bankruptcy of the 70s. His impact is beyond measure – he set the standard for how to manage our great city. He was a true champion of New York, and he will be missed.”
Eric T. Schneiderman, New York Attorney General:
“We will miss his keen mind, sharp wit and absolute devotion to making a great city the best in the world. While we mourn his loss, we know that the legacy of his mayoralty, his commitment to civil rights and affordable housing, and his civic leadership long after he left City Hall, will live on for generations.”
Charles Schumer, US senator of New York:
Ed Koch lived and breathed New York City with “every atom in his body.”
Schumer said Friday that the former mayor helped save New York City and gave it confidence when it was beginning to doubt itself.
He says New Yorkers were especially proud of Koch because he was so proud of New York.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network and MSNBC host:
“I am saddened to hear of the passing of former Mayor Ed Koch. Throughout his twelve-years of being Mayor I was one of his most vociferous critics. In fact, my first arrest was leading a sit-in on him about summer jobs for youth in 1978. We later united and worked together around the country in a national campaign for non-violent drug offenders to give them a second chance in life and we ended up getting to know and understand each other. Although we argued about everything from my marching in Bensonhurst, to Florida and Trayvon Martin, and although we disagreed on politics from his views on President Obama to other matters, I have found that he was never a phony or a hypocrite. He would not patronize or deceive you. He said what he meant. He meant what he said. He fought for what he believed. May he rest in peace.”
Sheldon Silver, New York Assembly Speaker:
“He was a visionary who used his political acumen to bring his dreams to fruition and to blaze a trail wide enough for a generation of New Yorkers to follow.” —
Eliot Spitzer, Former New York governor:
“He understood the real world. That’s why the public attached to him. There was nothing fake about him. Agree or disagree, he was as genuine as they come.”
Bill Thompson, Jr., Former Comptroller:
“Today, our city mourns a great New Yorker. Throughout his life, Ed Koch embodied the spirit of our city. As mayor, Koch navigated New York through treacherous times and seemingly impossible challenges with humor, determination and strength. We‘ve lost an amazing New Yorker, but his indomitable spirit will be carried with each of us whose lives he touched and all those he inspired.”
Cyrus Vance, Jr., Manhattan District Attorney:
“New York would not be the safest big city in America today if Ed Koch hadn’t spearheaded one of the most important criminal justice reforms in New York City’s history as mayor: selecting Criminal Court judges based on merit instead of political connections.”
Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City:
“All New York City mourns the passing of Mayor Koch whose wisdom, good humor and fierce determination guided us through a most difficult period in the city’s history. Communities across the city experienced a renaissance as a result of his commitment to neighborhoods and affordable housing development.”