After more than 50 voluble years in Maryland politics, William Donald Schaefer has slipped into a quiet retirement. The former governor, Baltimore mayor and state comptroller is in declining health and makes few public appearances.

But at the dedication of a statue in his honor Monday at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Schaefer couldn't resist rising to the podium once more to thank the hundreds of people who gathered on his 88th birthday to pay tribute to his unparalleled career.

"I could say something sentimental, but I won't today," said Schaefer, who stood with the help of an aide as he delivered his unscripted, unscheduled remarks. "Thank you for coming. You don't know what it means to me, when you're in the sort of twilight of your life."

He joked with the crowd during his brief address, saying, "I'm only going to take two more minutes, because I saw somebody yawn."

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And he spoke of his love for Baltimore and the harbor, which was transformed from a neglected industrial zone into a top tourist attraction during his 16-year tenure as mayor.

"There's no place like it anywhere," Schaefer said proudly.

The 8-foot bronze statue by sculptor Rodney Carroll depicts Schaefer as he looked in 1980, about midway through his long run as mayor. He waves with his left hand, and his right hand clutches a "Mayor's Action Memorandum," the missives he used to prod his staff.

"Have you helped someone today?" the memo reads. "Do it now!"

The statue was bankrolled by developer Willard Hackerman, a longtime Schaefer friend.

Schaefer was besieged by well-wishers as he sat in a wheelchair after the dedication. An aide wheeled him slowly to the nearby Phillips Restaurant as crowds gathered to form a de facto receiving line.

Monday's event attracted a who's who of Maryland politics. Gov. Martin O'Malley and Mayor Sheila Dixon spoke, and others in attendance included House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., former governors Robert Ehrlich and Marvin Mandel, Comptroller Peter Franchot and former congressman Kweisi Mfume.

Some are closer with Schaefer than others. Ehrlich, a Republican, got along better with Schaefer during his time as comptroller than did O'Malley, a fellow Democrat. Mfume said he clashed with Schaefer during his time on the city council, but the two later became close friends and allies.

"I appreciate above all else people who have a passion about what we do," Mfume said. "That's the thing that caused us to click."

O'Malley described Schaefer as "a great citizen, a great neighbor and a great man to lead us through these important years."