Flanked by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell
and Senator Tom Duane, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Friday
after passage of a gay marriage bill that he's never been prouder to
be a New Yorker. Duane and O'Donnell carried the measure in their
respective chambers.
Shortly
after four Republicans joined all but one Democrat in the Senate to
approve the measure and make New York the sixth – and most populous
– state to legalize gay marriage, the first-term Democratic
governor took to the podium in Albany to thank everyone involved in
getting the bill approved.
Cuomo suggested passage of marriage
equality in New York would have a ripple effect throughout the
nation.
“This state, when it is at its
finest, is a beacon for social justice. The legacy of this state was
that we were the progressive capital of the nation,” he said.
“The gay rights movement was birthed
at Stonewall. And what this state said today brings this discussion
of marriage equality to a new plane. That's the power and the beauty
of New York. The other states look to New York for the progressive
direction.”
“New York made a powerful statement
not just for the people of New York, but people all across this
nation.”
“I'm always proud to be a New
Yorker,” he added, “but tonight I'm especially proud to be a New
Yorker.” (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page.)