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Bloomberg In Final Radio Address: 'Thank You' For Taking Chance On Me

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In his final weekly radio address, Mayor Michael Bloomberg thanked New Yorkers for electing him three times and touted his record at City Hall.

"Thank you for giving me the honor and privilege of serving you for 12 years," he said during his appearance on 1010 WINS. "You took a chance on me in the dark days after 9/11, when the city's future was so uncertain and our hearts were so heavy. I was a political outsider, a relative unknown, an entrepreneur with no government experience who asked for your trust."

Bloomberg's third term will come to an end Wednesday, when Bill de Blasio will be sworn in as the next mayor by former President Bill Clinton.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Radio Address

Bloomberg said he worked every day during his tenure to keep his promise to New Yorkers that he would not be swayed by partisan politics or special interests.

He also touted his administration's role in cutting the city's murder rate in half, increasing the high school graduation rate by 42 percent, having 22 of the state's top 25 elementary and middle schools in the city (compared to none in 2011), creating a record number of jobs, increasing life expectancy by three years and being the only major city not to see a rise in poverty.

"Every day, over the past 12 years, I awaken thinking about how to make our city stronger and safer, healthier and greener, freer and fairer, more just and compassionate, more innovative and forward looking, with more opportunity for all," Bloomberg said. "On Wednesday morning, I'll wake up and smile, knowing that we did everything we could to achieve those goals."

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