March 12, 2008

CONGRESSMAN GREGORY W. MEEKS SUPPORTS DAVID PATTERSON

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory W. Meeks announces his support of David Patterson’s succession to the Office of the New York State Governor.

“Although one wishes that it had not happened under such sudden, sad, and difficult circumstances, the people of New York State are nonetheless well served to have a person of David Paterson’s experience, temperament, insight, and depth assume the office of Governor. He is the right person to lead our state in this time of unique crisis.

“As a former state senator, State Senate Minority Leader, and Lieutenant Governor, David Paterson has demonstrated a profound grasp of the issues confronting New York State in the 21st century. He is well-respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in both houses of the State Legislature as he is by elected officials and policymakers here in the nation's capital and throughout the United States. He has displayed equal compassion for Downstate and Upstate issues. He is well-read and well-rounded. He is a proven coalition- and consensus-builder. He will bring the right touch, not to mention a disarming sense of levity and collegiality to the inevitably difficult negotiations that lie ahead on everything from the annual budget, regional economic development, public transportation, education to ethics reform.

“Overwhelming challenges above and beyond everyone’s expectation or imagination is the hallmark of David Paterson’s career as well as his personal life. I extend my congratulations and commitment to be helpful in any way that I can to New York State Governor David A. Paterson.”

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