How the son of Ukrainian immigrants became the most popular mayor of New York

Edward Koch is a historical figure in New York. This is the mayor whose name has become the personification of the era. He transformed the city, making it a symbol of optimism and unity. We decided to share what an extraordinary personality the 105th mayor of New York was, and also talk about his connection with Ukraine and love for Israel.

Edward Koch is an American politician, lawyer, film critic and television host, who was elected mayor of New York three times in a row. His parents are from the Ukrainian village of Ustechko (Ternopil region). During the First World War, they emigrated to the United States, where Edward Koch was born in 1924.

He became the 105th mayor of New York on January 1, 1978, and served as mayor until December 1989. Koç won the second and third elections with more than 70% of the votes. He carried out reforms and was involved in the restoration of urban infrastructure and the boroughs that were part of the metropolis, which had suffered from a long-term crisis. Koch reduced the costs of maintaining his administration and city services, and reduced taxes. It was under his tenure that New York began to prosper: the city budget almost doubled. Residents of the metropolis considered Edward Koch a lucky talisman.

I love new york

Koch said a brilliant and simple phrase: “I love New York.” This is how the city’s love brand and the symbol of New York with a heart were born. He said that no matter what the city is, no matter how bad it is, there is still no better New York in the world. And everyone agreed with him. This policy led to the fact that New York was able to rise.

At that time, the capital's transport administration was in the hands of trade unions, and all workers were members and received good salaries and benefits. They had significant influence over the city, and when inflation broke out, these workers threatened to strike. Koch did not meet them halfway. Instead, he said, “I looked out the window and saw people walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. I thought that this was salvation, that we would not give up. We will be able to walk to work, we will give each other free rides.”

On the subject: How a Jewish violinist saved Carnegie Hall from destruction: the story of Isaac Stern

This led to the breaking of the trade union grip and the creation of a resistance movement. It was a show of unity and solidarity among New Yorkers during difficult times. Residents of the city rallied, supported each other and did not panic. New Yorkers felt like one big family.

Extraordinary personality

In many moments, Koch was an extravagant personality, as for a typical city mayor. Instead of hiding in his office, the 105th mayor rode the New York subway, talked to people on the street, and went to restaurants. It was important to him what the average resident of the city thought about his work.

Edward Koch was quite emotional, for example his dispute with Donald Trump lasted decades. Koch once said in an interview: “Trump is the most unpleasant person I have worked with in all these 12 years.”

After leaving the post of mayor, Koch returned to lawyering. He became a political commentator and occasionally reviewed movies and restaurants. His opinion was listened to even when he left the post of mayor and retired. Koch criticized President Barack Obama for what he considered insufficient support for Israel.

Throughout his life, Edward Koch maintained a special sentiment for the Ukrainian community of New York - he often took part in meetings of Ukrainian organizations, including the work of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

A few years before his death, he chose a tombstone for himself and inscribed on it: “Edward Koch, Mayor of the City of New York. He was proud of his Jewish faith. He fiercely defended New York. He loved his people very much. Most of all, he loved his country, the United States of America, in whose army he served during World War II.”

Then he added on this tombstone the last words spoken by Daniel Pearl, an American correspondent who was taken hostage by al-Qaeda terrorists: “My father is a Jew, my mother is a Jew, and I am a Jew too. Listen Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.”