 Fiorello La Guardia was elected as New York City's mayor in 1933, and served for the next twelve years. His influence was vast: he unified the public transportation system, built up the infrastructure, and fought gambling and crime. This sculpture depicts him as an animated character, in the midst of giving a speech. 

Elected mayor on a reform Fusion ticket following the scandals that had forced Mayor James J. (&amp;ldquo;Beau James&amp;rdquo;) Walker (1881&amp;ndash;1946) from office.&amp;nbsp;  

Participants included included L. Jay Oliva, president of New York University, and four mayors, Abraham D. Beame (served 1974-1977), Edward I. Koch (served 1978-1989), David N. Dinkins (served 1990-1993), and Mayor Giuliani (served 1994-2001).  

&lt;p&gt;Died September 20, 1947&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Buried in Woodlawn cemetery the Bronx&lt;/p&gt; 

&lt;p&gt;U.S CONGRESSMAN 1917-1919 &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;MAJOR US ARMY 1917 - 1918 &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;PRES NYC BOARD OF ALDERMEN 1920 - 1921 &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;U.S. CONGRESSMAN 1923 - 1932 &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;MAYOR OF NEW YORK 1934 - 1945 &lt;/p&gt; 

&lt;p&gt;The son of immigrants, Fiorello La Guardia was the first Italian-American to serve in congress. He devoted his life to the public interest. He was a champion of social justice and a defender of the poor and the oppressed. He fought against discrimination and corruption.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; As mayor of New York, he was a leader in building the modern metropolis. He gave the people of this city twelve years of humane and progressive government. He was honest. He cared. He was beloved. He set the standard for all others to follow. &lt;/p&gt; 