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Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel, from left, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley gather Friday in the Art Institute of Chicago’s modern wing. (Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune photo / April 15, 2011)

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called Daley “the best damn mayor this country has ever seen” during post-dinner remarks to about 900 people packed into a tent in Millennium Park for the event, which raised money to benefit schoolchildren in an Art Institute program that will now bear Daley’s and his wife’s names….

The mayor, in his own remarks, praised his successor, telling Emanuel: “I hope and pray that you do more than I ever have done in my life, because you want people to succeed in a much better way.”

Art Institute President James Cuno wrapped up the night of accolades by leading partygoers — who enjoyed cupcakes with the mayor’s face on them for dessert — in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for Daley, who turns 69 soon.

After Daley blew out a candle, Cuno demanded he reveal what he wished for.