Bloomberg: Koch Was 'Fearless' Civic Crusader

Reaction to death of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch:

"In elected office and as a private citizen, he was our most tireless, fearless, and guileless civic crusader. Through his tough, determined leadership and responsible fiscal stewardship, Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback." —New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

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"Although we disagreed on politics ... I have found that he was never a phony or a hypocrite. He would not patronize or deceive you. He said what he meant. He meant what he said. He fought for what he believed." — Rev. Al Sharpton, president of National Action Network.

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"He's the guy who saved our city. He paid off the loans on the federal government, ahead of time. So he did a lot of good stuff." —Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins.

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"Ed Koch personified the spirit of New York. New York's mayor for life is now New York's mayor for eternity. May he rest in peace." — U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.

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"He once said, 'I don't want to leave Manhattan, even when I'm gone. This is my home.' Ed Koch will never leave New York City. He will exist forever in our hearts, and in the millions of lives he touched." —New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

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"Ed Koch embodied the highest ideals of public service, and his life was dedicated toward making New York— the city and our state — a better place for all." — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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"New York would not be the safest big city in America today if Ed Koch hadn't spearheaded one of the most important criminal justice reforms in New York City's history as mayor: selecting Criminal Court judges based on merit instead of political connections." — Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.

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"We will miss his keen mind, sharp wit and absolute devotion to making a great city the best in the world. While we mourn his loss, we know that the legacy of his mayoralty, his commitment to civil rights and affordable housing, and his civic leadership long after he left City Hall, will live on for generations." —New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.