CNY government leaders’ reactions to the death of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2015 State of the State address has been rescheduled to Jan. 21 following the Jan. 1 death of his father, Mario Cuomo, former governor of the Empire State.

 

The address had been slated for Jan. 7, which was the day after family and friends remembered Cuomo in a funeral service held at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan.

 

The family of the former New York governor announced that Cuomo died from natural causes due to heart failure on the evening of Jan. 1 at his home. He was 82 years of age.

 

The current governor’s office on Jan. 2 directed that state-government buildings, including the Senator John H. Hughes State Office Building in Syracuse, fly their flags at half-staff in honor of the late Mario Cuomo. 

 

Reaction

Many area elected officials issued statements following Cuomo’s death.

 

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner called the former governor a “visionary leader who gave voice to America’s progressive movement and our entire nation is better for having him as a leader.”

 

 “I was privileged to begin my career in politics by serving as the Central New York regional representative for Gov. Cuomo. Each time I had the opportunity to be in his presence, I felt that I learned something. He was tough and held everyone to high standards but he was a kind and fair leader and always willing to impart wisdom on even the youngest members of his staff,” Miner said in a Jan. 2 statement. 

 

In a statement released the evening of Jan. 1, New York State Senator Joseph Griffo (R–Rome) said he got to know Cuomo during his last term as governor, which coincided with Griffo’s first term as mayor of Rome. 

 

He called Cuomo “a dedicated public servant with a seemingly unyielding work ethic.” 

 

“I remember him calling me when our city sustained damage during a storm. I returned his call late at night, and was surprised to hear Mario’s voice on the other end of the line. He was working.  When we had issues or challenges, the governor did his best to become interested and involved,” Griffo said in the statement.

 

Griffo also added that he was “always impressed” with Cuomo’s intellect, his love for the Empire State, and his talent for “delivering memorable speeches.”

 

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.), who had attended the inauguration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier in the day on Jan. 1, said in a statement that the elder Cuomo “rose to the very pinnacle of political power” in New York because he believed “in the greatness of this state, the greatness of America and the unique potential of every individual.”

 

“From soaring oratory that stirred the very soul to painstaking coalition building to advance policies and accomplishments, he was a colossal political mind and represented the very best of public service; he leaves an indelible legacy on the state he loved,” Schumer said in his statement.

 

In a statement her office released the same night, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) said Cuomo’s “outstanding service to our state and his commitment to the ideals that founded our nation inspired a new generation to devote their lives to public service.”

 

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called Jan. 1 a “sad day” for all New Yorkers. 

 

“In addition to being one of our state’s truly great governors, he was an inspiration for generations of New Yorkers who answered the call to service in response to his vision of fairness and equality for all of us. I would not be involved in New York politics were it not for Mario Cuomo. He is, and will always remain, one of my heroes,” Schneiderman said in a statement his office released the night of Jan. 1.