The night is darkest just before the dawn. When Rudy Giuliani was elected Mayor of New York City in 1993, it was the start of a long journey that cemented his legacy as no simple regional hero, but America’s Mayor. Through his public service from 9/11 to the Golden Age, Mr. Giuliani is no sunshine patriot. He stood tall when America hung low and reversed the decline of a City left in tatters by crime. Two decades before the MAGA movement was born, Mr. Giuliani Made New York City Great Again through his sheer will and determination. President Donald J. Trump’s decision to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a fitting recognition of this great American Patriot and lifelong New York hero.
After decades of Democrat rule had turned New York into something resembling Gotham City, Mr. Giuliani took office in 1994 with a mandate to make New York safe and livable. An experienced federal prosecutor, Mr. Giuliani had already earned a reputation as tough-on-crime for his pioneering legal work using the RICO Act to bust New York’s mobs. By the time his mayoral tenure ended after eight years, his administration cut serious crime in half and earned New York the distinction of being named America’s safest large city by the FBI. Mayor Giuliani made famous the concept of “broken windows” policing, enforcing quality-of-life laws as a tool to root the criminals out of society. He cleaned up Times Square, making it safe and wholesome. Shootings dropped by 70 percent, murders by two-thirds, and New York was once again great.
At memorial service in Yankee Stadium two weeks after 9/11, Oprah Winfrey named Mr. Giuliani “America’s Mayor” for his courage and leadership in crisis. By the time the North Tower fell on that dreadful Tuesday morning, Mayor Giuliani was already on Ground Zero coordinating the emergency response. More than 91,000 personnel would assist in the coming weeks. Day after day, Mr. Giuliani devoted himself to three tasks: rescuing the living, honoring the fallen, and repairing the shattered hearts of the broken. New York was not split by parties in the days after the attack; Republicans and Democrats together looked to America’s Mayor for the strength to journey on. Time Magazine honored him as 2001’s Person of the Year for his work in healing the soul of our Nation.
Mayor Giuliani showed that even intractable political problems cannot stand in the way of common sense and strong leadership. Although New York is again approaching a crisis, part of Mr. Giuliani’s legacy is the knowledge that Republicans can yet succeed in restoring order and justice to our City. We can win, as we have won before. Though there may once again be dark days in New York’s future, there is also a better path forward – the Giuliani Way – and we at the New York Young Republican Club await the moment that our fellow New Yorkers choose freedom for the Empire City.
On Saturday night, Mr. Giuliani was involved in a terrible car accident in New Hampshire. After he made a Good Samaritan’s stop on the side of the road, his vehicle was struck from behind, causing him serious injury. Please pray for Mr. Giuliani as he recovers.
For his service to the United States and the City of New York, the New York Young Republican Club applauds President Donald J. Trump’s decision to award Mr. Rudy Giuliani with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani won the hearts of our Nation, and America’s highest civilian honor is a testament to his courage and leadership.
From our Club to the man who will always be our Mayor: thank you.