“I’m not going to present you with a fairy-tale image of Gotham. It’s a hard luck town. It always has been. It’s a place of dark tragedies and bitter ironies. A city of deep shadows and sharp contrasts. A city that touches everyone who lives there. For good and bad. I see Gotham as an anvil. One is broken or tempered on it. So many trials. So much misfortune. So little hope. But some thrive there. Gothamites are a tough breed. They’re proud of their town and their talent for living in it. My family has lived there for two centuries. It was there that they built the financial giant that is a leading player in a half dozen industries. And it was Gothamites who helped build it. By their sweat and their labor and sometimes their lives they made Gotham a world competitor. Against all the odds. Maybe Gotham is inspiring in its own way. Inspiration spurred by fear. Or something even darker. But despite their troubles and their setbacks, Gothamites keep going. And there’s something noble about that. It’s an admirable trait, I think. Every city has its own personality. I like to think that dogged determination is Gotham’s. It’s a town that’s never had its hand out. That’s never played the victim. It’s a town that’s used to standing alone. It bears being maligned and forgotten. It helps itself. Even when the burdens become too great. Even when it should be screaming for rescue. But the people of Gotham know that justice can be an illusion. And rescue has its price. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Gotham can only help itself from this latest catastrophe — with your help — the country’s help. I know the people of my hometown will work hard to rebuild. I know they’ll repay this nation for any sacrifice it has to make. There’s simply more to be gained by helping us than abandoning us. And I’m betting my entire fortune on it. Without a single doubt or regret.”
