NJU JORK – Ish-Kryetari i Bashkisë së qytetit të New York Ed Koch vdiq herët këtë mëngjes në spitalin e New York-Presbyterian/Columbian – në Manhattan- New York.
Kështu deklaroi një zëdhënës i tij, i cil tha për gazetarët ish kryetari legjendar i Bashkisë së qytetit të New Yorkut, në tre mandate vdiq sot heret në mëngjes nga disa probleme të zemrës dhe shtoi se Koch kishte qenë në i shtruar në Spital në javët e fundit
Sipas tij Koch kryetari i 105 i Bashkisës së Qytetit të New Yorkut, vdiq në moshën 88 vjeç dhe ishte i pa martuar.
Deklarata dhengushëllimet kanë përcjelltë gjithë autoritet më të larta të New Yorkut këtë mëngjes.

Edward Irving “Ed” Koch ka qenë në profesion një avokat i njohur amerikan, politikan dhe komentator politik në disa televizione të njohura amerikane. Ai shërbeu në Dhomën e Përfaqësuesve të Shteteve të Bashkuara si kongresmen nga viti 1969-1977, por u bë legjendar kur për her të parë në historinë e qytetit të New York, kur shërbeu në tre terma si kryetar i Bashkisë së Qyetetit New York City nga viti 1978-1989.
Edward Irving “Ed” Koch ka Lindur: 12 dhjetor 1924, në Bronx New York, dhe : Vdiq më 1 shkurt 2013 në Manhattan – New York / Beqir SINA/

Këtu poshtë është njëvështrim në anglisht i të gjitha deklaratatve të zyrtarëve të qytetit- dhe të personaliteteve të tjerët – duke kujtuar ish kryetarin e Bashkisë së Qytetit të New Yorkut .

Mayor Michael Bloomberg

“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.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

“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.”

Rev. Al Sharpton

“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.”

Rep. Peter King

“I am terribly saddened by the passing of Mayor Ed Koch. Ed Koch was 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. May he Rest In Peace.”

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

“As a lifelong New Yorker, it’s hard to imagine this city without Ed Koch. 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. I offer my sincere condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

Sen. Malcolm A. Smith

“My heart is heavy this morning as my thoughts and prayers are with the family of former Mayor Ed Koch. I had the pleasure of working for Koch as one of his aides at City Hall. I was able to learn a lot from him and it was truly a pleasure to work for one of the greatest mayors that this city has ever seen. He will be deeply missed.”

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance

“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. Every New Yorker has the right to walk the streets of our city without fear and all New Yorkers deserve equal access to justice. We’d be far, far further from these goals today if not for Mayor Ed Koch’s foresight and vision and courage.

“On a personal level, Mayor Koch was always available to me with wise advice, counsel, and always delivered with a sense of humor. I will miss him dearly.”

Joe Lhota, Former MTA Chairman and 2013 Mayoral Hopeful

“I will miss Ed Koch. His leadership in leading the City out of the financial control period was flawless.”

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.”

William Rapfogel, CEO, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty

“All New Yorkers share the loss of a great American and possibly the best Mayor the City of New York ever had. Ed Koch was a genuine friend to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, at one time serving as a letter-writer for our direct mail campaign. He was a source of encouragement and friendship to our organization and to me personally.

“I had the privilege of working for Mayor Koch during his first term as he led our City out of the abyss of near financial collapse. He was innovative, thoroughly engaged, a great manager, detail-oriented and compassionate — a rare combination for a government chief executive. We were able to talk extensively about Israel, improving New York and about my family and his sister, Pat, and her family, of which he was very proud. When he attended the bris of my eldest son, he was typical Koch when he proclaimed, “the lox is great and the bagels were OK.”

“His devotion to Israel and the Jewish people was steadfast and always on his mind. It is what brought him to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. We will miss him and at the appropriate time, Met Council will dedicate a memorial in his honor.”

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn

“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.”

Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes

“I have lost not only a friend but every New Yorker has lost a public servant who not only played an important role in guiding our city as a Councilman, Congressman and Mayor, but someone whose persona epitomized the city he loved. It was an honor to serve as Fire Commissioner during his administration. He always asked ‘how am I doing?’ Ed you did magnificent!”