[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 52 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E494]]
                   HONORING DAVID ALEXANDER PATERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize the 
historic governorship of David Alexander Paterson, who at the age of 
53, has become the 55th Governor of the great State of New York. Mr. 
Paterson is New York State's first Black Governor. I would like to 
again wish New York's new Governor well, and support his efforts on 
behalf of the great State of New York. I would like to enter this March 
25th editorial from the CaribNews entitled ``A Breath of Fresh Air in 
Albany'' into the Record.

Breath of Fresh Air Stirs Albany--Governor Paterson Takes Office as New 
                         York's Chief Executive

       ``I am David Paterson and I am the Governor of New York 
     State.''
       With those words and many more, David Alexander Paterson, 
     decisively assumed the mantle of office as the Chief 
     Executive of America's most influential state at the age of 
     53 years.
       With the State's Chief Judge, Judith S. Kaye, administering 
     the oath office, the grandson of Caribbean immigrants was 
     sworn in on Monday as the 55th Governor of New York and the 
     third Black head of a state government in the more than 125 
     years after America's Reconstruction era.
       It was truly a historic moment, filled with symbolism, 
     pageantry and realism. Few, if anyone present in the 
     legislature, who watched it on television or who listened to 
     the ceremony on the radio would forget the class act that 
     unfolded in Albany, the State capital.
       Paterson's rise to the most powerful position in state 
     government was swift as it was stunning and despite the 
     unusual circumstances which led to his ascension--the forced 
     resignation of Eliot Spitzer after he became embroiled in a 
     lurid sex scandal involving high priced prostitutes--it was 
     clear that the transition had occurred smoothly and that 
     Paterson, a legally blind person, was and is in charge. His 
     presence at the helm is a sharp reminder of the changing 
     times in which we live. Who would have imagined a mere few 
     years ago that in the first decade of the 21st century, the 
     United States would be on the verge of electing a Black man, 
     Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, or a woman, U.S. Senator 
     Hillary Clinton, a Democrat of New York, as the next 
     President of the country or would have a Black person with 
     Jamaican and Grenadian roots occupying the Governor's mansion 
     in the Empire state or another Black as the chief executive 
     of Massachusetts.
       It was not only pride that filled the hearts of New Yorkers 
     everywhere. It was also a sense that a decent human being who 
     had fought against the odds caused by his disability and 
     spawned by the ubiquitous nature of prejudice had prevailed.
       U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House of 
     Representatives' powerful Ways and Means Committee, and an 
     icon on Capitol Hill and in Harlem summed up the situation 
     well in a ``Dear David'' letter to the new Governor when he 
     said: ``You have defied expectations, compiling a record of 
     accomplishment as a member and leader of the New York State 
     Senate. Now, as holder of the state's highest office, I am 
     confident that you will govern with the same wisdom and 
     leadership to make a positive difference in the lives of all 
     New Yorkers.''
       The noble Congressman spoke for all of us.
       In his short address after the official swearing in, 
     Governor Paterson went straight to the issues that could 
     define his administration: the need for jobs at a time of 
     economic crisis; the necessity to improve education and 
     reduce its costs to the taxpayers, students and their 
     parents; the need for improved health care; and the 
     importance of equity in society.
       To get things done Paterson will need all of the goodwill 
     he can get from his colleagues in government and from those 
     whose taxes pay the bills. With the national economy in a 
     tailspin and with the state facing a gaping hole in its 
     budget of about $124 billion, fiscal prudence without 
     sacrificing quality of services and help for those who need 
     it the most must be a number one priority. The Governor, 
     Senate and Assembly must work closer together, something that 
     didn't happen at all during Spitzer's 16 months in office.
       Paterson recognized that hard bit of reality and it was an 
     important message which he sent when he lamented, rather 
     briefly, about the absence of the cooperation in recent 
     times. And he did it without holding up Spitzer to ransom, so 
     to speak. An important signal was sent to everyone when some 
     former governors, George Pataki, a Republican, and Hugh 
     Carey, a Democrat made a point of being present and Paterson 
     went to great lengths to recognize them and others who can 
     make a difference in the weeks, months and the two and a half 
     years he has left to complete the four year term.
       Standing alongside the Governor were his wife and children, 
     his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Basil Paterson, people known for 
     their grace and integrity. Their presence sent a message 
     about the value of family, something to which the state's 
     chief executive alluded when he sought to tell New Yorkers 
     something about himself and the role Harlem has played in his 
     life.
       In his letter, Rangel, a long-time friend of the Paterson 
     family, reminded the Governor that as he faces the ``great 
     challenges'' which are ahead of him and the state, ``you are 
     not alone. Count me among the many New Yorkers who wish you 
     well and stand ready to support your efforts on behalf of the 
     great state of New York.''
       We wish to join the choir and sing the chorus, not simply 
     with voices and lyrics but with sincere action.
       Yes, there are difficult days ahead for most people in the 
     country. But with determination, clarity of thought and his 
     noted sense of humor, not to mention his decency we are 
     confident that the Governor and indeed the state will 
     succeed.

                          ____________________