The loss of Harlem-born General Colin Powell was felt by elected leaders across the city on Monday with all recognizing his service in the military and the first black Secretary of State.
For Mayor Bill de Blasio, the general’s upbringing was regarded as an exquisite example of what a New York City success story looks, giving a tip of the hat to Powell’s birth to immigrant parents and his ultimate rise to the world’s stage as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Security Advisor.
“But what we all feel as New Yorkers was, he was – he was an example of the greatness of New York City. An absolutely classic New York City story, born to Jamaican immigrants, grew up in Harlem and the Bronx, graduated Morris High School in the Bronx, a graduate of our New York City public schools, went to City College – just an absolute great example of the good, the talent, the ability that comes out of the city,” de Blasio said. “So, he’s someone we’re going to miss a lot, but we’re particularly going to miss him because he showed the world what New York City is all about, that anyone here – anyone and everyone has the opportunity to be great, and that we foster it, we respect it, we believe in each New Yorker. We’re going to miss him a lot. He made us very, very proud.”