The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

Announcement Of 4th Round Of Regional Economic Development Grants

Empire State Plaza, The Hart Theatre, Albany, NY
Thursday, December 11, 2014 [Noon]


Thank you, Teresa (Priolo). We are delighted that you are here with us this afternoon. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your warm welcome.

Governor Cuomo. Lieutenant Governor Duffy. Senator Skelos. Members of the Legislature. Leaders of our Regional Economic Development Councils.

First, let me take a moment to acknowledge the Assembly leaders here in the audience today and thank them for their contributions to this important program:

First, Majority Leader Joe Morelle, Assembly Member Didi Barrett, Assembly Member Anthony Brindisi, Assembly Member Ken Blankenbush, Assembly Member Marc Butler, Assembly Member Pat Fahy, Assembly Member Sandra Galef, Assembly Member Barbara Lifton, Assembly Member Pete Lopez, Assembly Member Bill Magnarelli, Assembly Member John McDonald, Assembly Member Addie Russell, Assembly Member Sean Ryan, Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara, Assembly Member Dan Stec and Assembly Member Phil Steck.

For years and years, these dedicated men and women have advocated regional economic development and university/industry partnerships, and have worked with their local leaders to advance projects across the Empire State:

Projects ranging from CNSE here in Tech Valley, to the Marcy Nanocenter, the Connective Corridor in Syracuse, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute in Rochester and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, to name but a few.

We applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and for his continuing commitment to regional economic development.

I assure you, Governor, that we will continue to work in partnership with you and with our colleagues in the Senate to improve New York's business climate even further; to educate and train the most innovative and productive workforce in America; and to build and re-build the modern, efficient infrastructure that is the backbone of economic growth.

To Bob Duffy, our esteemed Lieutenant Governor, who is stepping down at the end of the year, we offer our profound gratitude.

Bob, other than the Governor himself, I cannot imagine New York having a better, more endearing and tireless goodwill ambassador than you have been.

We have been friends for a long time. I know our friendship will continue through the years to come.

Speaking for the members of the New York State Assembly on both sides of the aisle let me say how much we have appreciated your leadership. We wish for you the very best in all of your future endeavors. Best wishes my friend.

That being said, we look forward to working with the next Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, and have every faith that she will be an energizing presence and a vigorous champion for regional economic development and job creation throughout New York State.

To each and every member of our regional councils, I wish you the best of luck this afternoon.

On behalf of all New Yorkers, I thank you for the time and the expertise you have invested in rethinking the local and regional economies that comprise our great state, and for your efforts to create the jobs and the business opportunities New Yorkers need today and that our children will need tomorrow.

In closing and on behalf of the New York State Assembly I wish all of you a bright and joyous holiday season, and a prosperous new year. Good luck!