Mario Cuomo, the three-term New York governor and father of the state's current governor, died of heart failure Thursday at the age of 82.
Cuomo is among the most iconic New York governors of the 20th century, known for his liberal views, soaring speeches and deeply held beliefs that made him among the most prominent Democrats of his time. His death came the same day as his son, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was inaugurated for a second term.
Cuomo died at his home in Manhattan with his family at his side, according to the governor's office.
A great man, who did great things for the people of New York.
Rest peacefully Gov. Cuomo. A real governor of the people!
ReplyDeleteI always like Mario...may he R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteMario rocked! Would love to see Andrew run for VP, but it won't happen cuz both him and Hill are from NY.
ReplyDeleteI wish Andrew was even half the man his father was. He seems more ambitious than his dad, but didn't manage to inherit the intelligence, integrity, or passion.
ReplyDeleteI was a big supporter of Mario Cuomo and was excited to have the Cuomo legacy continue in New York.
DeleteUnfortunately, Andrew lacks many of the qualities that made his father such a great leader, and I have been very disappointed in him, particularly in the way he has treated educators.
He seems to have much closer ties to the corporations and much less commitment to the needs of the rest of us New Yorkers than his father.
He was an outspoken advocate for the separation of church and state.
ReplyDeleteAnd several times vetoed the death penalty in New York State. That is the position advocated by the Catholic Church, and why we, thankfully, still do not have it in Massachusetts.
DeleteAnyone who says one's pro-life has to also be against the state being able to take a life.
Cuomo paid for his position on capital punishment, but he never wavered.
He wasn't imposing the Church's position on the State, but he spoke and acted from his own deeply held personal convictions.
He's been proven to be true, in the sense that the death penalty is imposed arbitrarily and cruelly. Take, for example, the outgoing governor of Maryland just this week commuting the death sentences of the last four death-row inmates. It's a barbaric punishment, not to be tolerated in a civilized society.
Gov. Cuomo was a fantastic speaker and a marvelous story teller. For many years he was on a local PBS station once a week on a show called "Me and Mario". (The "Me"was Alan Chartock the station owner)The station ran many of his speeches and stories today. Some funny, some sad, but so good to listen to.
ReplyDeleteHe did a lot for the whole country by serving as a model for progressive leadership. Like a true New Yorker, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind and people loved him for it.
ReplyDeleteIn 1985, Mario Cuomo established an adapted competitive sports program for children with disabilities that ultimately changed my life and that of tens of thousands of children. I was a volunteer, staff member, and eventually became Executive Director. Thirty years later, I still bring students to compete in the regional competition near where I live and return to the main competition each year to volunteer.
ReplyDeleteGovernor Cuomo visited the event many times in our first decade, initially coming to Opening Ceremonies where he sat on the stage. Then he decided that he had enough opportunities to be with dignitaries through other events, and he began to come during the busiest day of competition so he could mingle with the athletes instead. His staff would be frantically checking their watches, reminding the Governor of his demanding schedule, but he would ignore them in order to speak with a few more athletes or volunteers. I helped organize the activities surrounding his visits, but was usually on the sidelines. However, he made a point to introduce himself to me and even remembered my name from year to year.
One year, the program was eliminated from the state budget. He personally insured that the funds were reinstated so that the children were able to compete.
Several of our athletes have gone on to compete in national and international competitions, including the Paralympics. One of our early athletes held several world records and was the very first female leg amputee to complete the Ironman in Hawaii. She also competed on "The Amazing Race" and credits our program for introducing her to competitive sports.
Although Governor Mario Cuomo had a great impact on New York in so many ways, he will always hold a special place in my heart for his steadfast support of our program.
He was a great man and he will be missed.
What a great story and thanks to you for your own service to such a worthy cause.
DeleteThanks, 5:05, but I've gotten far more out of the experience than I ever could have given! I've had the opportunity to meet people, go places, and do things I never would have otherwise. And I've made friends who have become family.
DeleteI only found out this past summer that an athlete I knew more than 20 years ago is the granddaughter of my neighbor across the street. I lived here for almost 14 years without knowing the connection we had!
What a brilliant man and great orator. He called out Ronnie and his famous "shining city on a hill" speech by telling him that (from memory, not his exact words) That there are people hungry, women who can't feed their children because you want to take away the WIC program, that there are places in that shining city Regan never saw or ignored". My father shook his hand once, and was so proud of their shared heritage and Gov, Cuomo's ability to see the world as it is and want to change for the better. He was a true progressive.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Governor Cuomo.
It's a shame that your son is such a POS. The apple really fell far away from this tree.
DeleteI always had a great deal of respect for Mario Cuomo.
DeleteBeaglemom
We need to stop worshiping politicians of any ideology.
ReplyDeleteWho sad anything about worshipping, jackass? You obviously know nothing about Gov Cuomo or New York.
DeleteNobody said anything about worshiping anyone.
DeleteIt is a good thing to reflect on the good someone has done and hope to emulate them when possible.
Just reading the comments asshole. They make it sound like George Washington died. You are worshiping Cuomo like Republicans worship RUSH.
DeleteNow back to your Cuomo was a messiah garbage.
Use your brain for once or at least get a dictionary and some perspective. Learn the meaning of "worship" and "messiah" because it's clear you don't know. Rembering the good that a person did while on this earth isn't worshipping. Enough of your fake outrage. I swear, some people have totally lost their fucking minds.
DeleteYes, they have lost their minds. They speak of politicians like they are the answer to our problems. How stupid can they get. Of course they start name calling as soon as someone criticizes their delusion.
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