Nov 2, 2009 5:25 pm US/Eastern
Statue Honoring Schaefer Dedicated
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The man credited with Baltimore's renaissance from a gritty industrial town to what it is today was honored downtown Monday.
CBS
The man credited with Baltimore's renaissance from a gritty industrial town to what it is today was honored downtown Monday.
Mike Schuh was there when the long-awaited statue of mayor and governor William Donald Schaefer was unveiled.
William Donald Schaefer never missed the opportunity to create a good photo--in the pool, on the campaign trail or at his birthday. So Monday, behind the flags of the city he loved and the state he served, Schaefer was hidden from view.
An overflow crowd gathered to honor the man who guided Baltimore's renaissance.
"The best mayor I've ever met. He made more of a difference in his city than any other," said Representative Steny Hoyer.
"He was like the Wizard of Oz," said former City Councilman George Della.
"One person doesn't do it, but he inspired other people to step up and move forward," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.
For an hour, he listened as his virtues and achievements were read. Then, after the mayor and the former mayor, now governor, spoke, the statue was revealed.
Like he was when in office, his statue is larger than life. He stands seven feet tall.
Though he wasn't scheduled to speak, this beloved politician couldn't walk past the open microphone.
"Thank you for coming. You don't know what it means to me in the twilight of life," he said. "There are ups and downs, and mostly ups."
It was a sunny and good afternoon at the place William Donald Schaefer built.
"Most of the time you don't get this kind of recognition until you're dead," said state employee William Allen.
"The tribute to William Donald Schaefer is when we look around this city," Hoyer said. "That is his tribute and his legacy."
This unveiling happened on Schaefer's 88th birthday.
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