Letter to President Pro Tempore Malcolm A. Smith regarding Senator Hiram Monserrate
October 19, 2009
Honorable Malcolm A. Smith
President Pro Tempore --New York State Senate
Room 332 Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Senator Smith:
I write on behalf of the thousands of college students in New York State and urge you to support a resolution expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate for his conduct outside of the Senate.
Upon election, government officials are required to fulfil a duty of the office to serve as a role model for all constituents, voting and non. The behaviours of Senator Monserrate are entirely reprehensible and must warrant further disciplinary action. Although the judicial process has taken its course and only found Senator Monserrate guilty of a misdemeanour, it is my steadfast belief that elected officials should be held to the highest standard.
As a voter in New York State, I would be extremely disappointed to call Senator Monserrate my Senator. As a result of his conviction, it is a likely possibility that he will be forced to serve some time in jail. The Constitution of the State of New York does not automatically remove a Senator upon the conviction of a misdemeanour, however, if he is not able to execute the duties of his office from prison, he is clearly not fit to serve.
The issue of domestic violence is a non-partisan issue and cannot be tolerated by anyone, especially the lawmakers who are elected to serve as representatives of their constituencies. Laws are created to apply to ALL citizens; Senators should not receive special treatment and have the ability to decide which laws they choose to adhere to.
I am insistent upon your action in this way for several reasons; the obvious humanitarian reason in addition to the necessity for a swift special election to replace Senator Monserrate upon his expulsion. The voters of New York’s thirteenth Senate district must be fairly and justly represented.
Respectfully yours,
Ian Rivera
President, College Democrats of New York
Cc: Honorable John Sampson; Democratic Conference Leader
Honorable Pedro Espada; Majority Leader
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This is a caption
“The CBO found the Recovery Act is responsible for 600,000 to 1.6 million jobs and has raised GDP by 1.2 to 3.2 percent. Without the Recovery Act these jobs would have either disappeared or never existed in the first place and this positive economic growth would not have been possible.
“Our economy still has a long way to go and we will not rest until everyone who wants a job can find one, but the economy is no longer in a free-fall. Democrats in Congress showed real leadership by supporting the Recovery Act. Unfortunately, Republicans - the Party of NO -refused to offer an alternative. They stood on the sidelines as President Obama and Congressional Democrats took the steps necessary to reverse the economic decline they inherited after eight years of failed Republican economic policies. Now, by cheering for the Act’s failure, the GOP remains on the wrong side of history. As President Obama and Democrats continue to take steps to strengthen our economy, it’s time for Republicans to stop saying 'No', quit playing politics and start working with us on behalf of American families and workers.”