Paper 2
Elisabetta Cesare
June 23, 2014
Core paper #2
Rudolph Giuliani
“New York had a tradition of larger than life mayors who’ve become characters to conjure within the national political imagination.” Rudolph, or Rudy, Giuliani can be best known for being the mayor of New York City during September 11, 2001. “The image of an undaunted mayor walking the streets of Lower Manhattan comforting and inspiring his fellow citizens as the debris rained down around him has been stamped into the public consciousness.” Although he was considered to be a hero to some that day, the heroic actions that he took on September 11, 2001 do not being to describe the true accomplishments of Rudy Giuliani. Before saving the city from panic and fear from the attacks, Giuliani saved the city from political pathologies. He reduced crime and welfare, and gained momentum to drive out the mob involved with organized crime. He also revived the poor city and helped the economy bounce back.
Rudy Giuliani was the child of two native New Yorkers who were children of Italian immigrants. Rudy was born on May 28, 1944 and was thought to be a miracle baby. Harold and Helen, Rudy’s parents, had trouble conceiving a child so having Rudy was an answer to their prayers. Rudy’s full name is Rudolph William Louis Giuliani III. He was named after his grandfather on his father’s side. His grandfather had immigrated to the United States from Montecatini, Italy in 1899. Rudy’s father had trouble with the laws growing up, so Harold made sure that he used every opportunity to teach Rudy the value of hard work and honesty.
Before Giuliani came into office to be mayor, New York hit a wall. The country as a whole was under a recession and that, in turn, put pressure on state and local governments to fix the problems. Giuliani prosecuted members of the mafia, and inside traders on Wall Street. He jailed drug dealers and was against government corruption. Since he was one of the few Italian/American in a position of political power, he was able to break down stereotypes that were negative toward the Italian culture. The mafia had always been a problem for New York. “I think the fact that he was of Italian heritage himself made him a tough prosecutor; he wanted to bend over backwards to root out and successfully prosecute organized crime.” At the time Giuliani become mayor, New York was full of mental hospital patients, and drug addicted people living on the streets. Cocaine was becoming an epidemic and New York was not considered a very safe place to be. Times Square is a perfect example of the rundown New York. “Addicts openly bought and sold drugs, and sex shops lined the street.” Giuliani stepped in and ended the crime in Times Square and turned it into the most thriving and most attractive spot for tourists.
Before Giuliani, the tax rates were very high. He lowered the tax rate and many thought that would have created a loss, but instead it increased revenue because it brought people back into the city of New York. He also decreased welfare by creating a program called “workfare.” This was a program that partnered with America works and they funded jobs for welfare recipients. 300,000 fewer people received welfare during Giuliani’s first term as mayor. He also stopped organized crime in the seafood industry in Lower Manhattan. Once he sent the police to arrest criminals associated with the mafia, fish costs dropped 13 percent. “one of Giuliani’s most notable accomplishments during his first term was the implementation of Compstat, a revolutionary took for collecting and analyzing crime statistics.”
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Giuliani seized the challenge and tackled multiple roles and handled all issues. “He was a calm, steady hand in the middle of chaos, giving cool-headed updates throughout the day.” He offered consolation to the people of New York and attended more than 200 funerals. He showed that the city was not going to step down or be afraid by reopening the New York Stock Exchange, major league baseball, and Broadway theaters within days of the attack. He helped the city come back from the worst attack it has ever seen. He gave encouragement, hope, and provided trust that New York City will be okay and that we will grow and move from this terrible attack.
“Rudy Giuliani emerged from the smoke of 9/11 as the unquestioned hero of the day: America’s mayor, the father figure we could all rely on to be tough, to be wise, to do the right thing.” Giuliani provided strict policies and devotion to cleaning up the crime of New York City. He was the key person that revitalized the city and brought crime rates down while bringing tourist rates up. Giuliani was the mayor during September 11, 2001 attacks and helped people get rescued and ensured the safety of all people of New York. “He was a hero figure who took on the vested interests that had dragged the city down.”
June 23, 2014
Core paper #2
Rudolph Giuliani
“New York had a tradition of larger than life mayors who’ve become characters to conjure within the national political imagination.” Rudolph, or Rudy, Giuliani can be best known for being the mayor of New York City during September 11, 2001. “The image of an undaunted mayor walking the streets of Lower Manhattan comforting and inspiring his fellow citizens as the debris rained down around him has been stamped into the public consciousness.” Although he was considered to be a hero to some that day, the heroic actions that he took on September 11, 2001 do not being to describe the true accomplishments of Rudy Giuliani. Before saving the city from panic and fear from the attacks, Giuliani saved the city from political pathologies. He reduced crime and welfare, and gained momentum to drive out the mob involved with organized crime. He also revived the poor city and helped the economy bounce back.
Rudy Giuliani was the child of two native New Yorkers who were children of Italian immigrants. Rudy was born on May 28, 1944 and was thought to be a miracle baby. Harold and Helen, Rudy’s parents, had trouble conceiving a child so having Rudy was an answer to their prayers. Rudy’s full name is Rudolph William Louis Giuliani III. He was named after his grandfather on his father’s side. His grandfather had immigrated to the United States from Montecatini, Italy in 1899. Rudy’s father had trouble with the laws growing up, so Harold made sure that he used every opportunity to teach Rudy the value of hard work and honesty.
Before Giuliani came into office to be mayor, New York hit a wall. The country as a whole was under a recession and that, in turn, put pressure on state and local governments to fix the problems. Giuliani prosecuted members of the mafia, and inside traders on Wall Street. He jailed drug dealers and was against government corruption. Since he was one of the few Italian/American in a position of political power, he was able to break down stereotypes that were negative toward the Italian culture. The mafia had always been a problem for New York. “I think the fact that he was of Italian heritage himself made him a tough prosecutor; he wanted to bend over backwards to root out and successfully prosecute organized crime.” At the time Giuliani become mayor, New York was full of mental hospital patients, and drug addicted people living on the streets. Cocaine was becoming an epidemic and New York was not considered a very safe place to be. Times Square is a perfect example of the rundown New York. “Addicts openly bought and sold drugs, and sex shops lined the street.” Giuliani stepped in and ended the crime in Times Square and turned it into the most thriving and most attractive spot for tourists.
Before Giuliani, the tax rates were very high. He lowered the tax rate and many thought that would have created a loss, but instead it increased revenue because it brought people back into the city of New York. He also decreased welfare by creating a program called “workfare.” This was a program that partnered with America works and they funded jobs for welfare recipients. 300,000 fewer people received welfare during Giuliani’s first term as mayor. He also stopped organized crime in the seafood industry in Lower Manhattan. Once he sent the police to arrest criminals associated with the mafia, fish costs dropped 13 percent. “one of Giuliani’s most notable accomplishments during his first term was the implementation of Compstat, a revolutionary took for collecting and analyzing crime statistics.”
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Giuliani seized the challenge and tackled multiple roles and handled all issues. “He was a calm, steady hand in the middle of chaos, giving cool-headed updates throughout the day.” He offered consolation to the people of New York and attended more than 200 funerals. He showed that the city was not going to step down or be afraid by reopening the New York Stock Exchange, major league baseball, and Broadway theaters within days of the attack. He helped the city come back from the worst attack it has ever seen. He gave encouragement, hope, and provided trust that New York City will be okay and that we will grow and move from this terrible attack.
“Rudy Giuliani emerged from the smoke of 9/11 as the unquestioned hero of the day: America’s mayor, the father figure we could all rely on to be tough, to be wise, to do the right thing.” Giuliani provided strict policies and devotion to cleaning up the crime of New York City. He was the key person that revitalized the city and brought crime rates down while bringing tourist rates up. Giuliani was the mayor during September 11, 2001 attacks and helped people get rescued and ensured the safety of all people of New York. “He was a hero figure who took on the vested interests that had dragged the city down.”