Thursday evening Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was
joined by elected officials as well as business and community leaders
for his inauguration ceremony and the official kick off to Bronx
County’s year-round centennial celebration.
The ceremony featured the swearing-in of
the Borough President and the entire Bronx City Council delegation, a
historical nod to the first swearing in that took place when Bronx
County was created in 1914.
“Today is a historic day. Not only is it
the ceremonial start of my second term as Borough President of this
great borough I love, but we are also marking a major milestone as we
celebrate the first 100 years of Bronx County. It is our time to shine
and let the world know that the Bronx is rich in history, culture and
diversity and this is what we are going to showcase in our yearlong
celebration,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“The centennial affords us an opportunity
to look two ways. We look back 100 years to the origin of the Bronx
County and the progress we have made since then. We look forward to
using our past advance as a springboard to the future,” said Bronx
Historian Lloyd Ultan.
During the ceremony, Borough President Diaz
and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce also unveiled a commemorative plaque
celebrating the centennial.
“The Bronx’s Centennial could not have come
at a better time. What has been accomplished in the area of economic
development in just the last five years will insure that the next 100
years provide our residents and businesses with a community where
residents can work in their borough, receive excellent education and
health care, our businesses will thrive, while tourists and visitors can
shop and visit our sports many diverse sports venues throughout,” said
Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation President Marlene
Cintron.
“This is an exciting time to be in The
Bronx! The entire year will be dedicated to celebrating the last 100
years that have brought us to where we are today and we are anxious to
share that with the world,” said Bronx Tourism Council Executive
Director Olga Luz Tirado.
In addition, tonight the Empire State
Building is lit in the colors of the Bronx flag to honor the 100th
anniversary celebration of the creation of Bronx County.
Also, as part of the celebration, the
office of Borough President Diaz partnered with the Legislative Gazette
to produce a special edition celebrate The Bronx and its centennial. A
PDF of that publication can be read at: http://on.nyc.gov/1adg7QY
Click on any photo to enlarge it.
Left - Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses the packed rotunda of the Bronx County building.
Right - BP Diaz waits to enter the room with new City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viveito next to him.
Left - Rivals from the special election in the 86th A.D. New Assemblyman Victor Pichardo and Yudelka Tapia join together to celebrate.
Right - Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. finds a friend who is also wearing a cowboy hat.
Left - Mike's Deli from Aurthur Avenue is in the house with some great eats after the ceremony.
Right - The Cupcake House from Coop-City gave out assorted delicious cup cakes, and made a special pastry for the event.
