Lopez: "Kruger Appointment By Bruno Dawn of New Day"

US States news, February 28, 2007

SEN. BRUNO NAMES SEN. CARL KRUGER CHAIR OF SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, R-Brunswick (43rd District), issued the following news release:
In an historic display of bipartisanship, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno has appointed Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) to chair the Senate Committee on Social Services, Children and Families.
"In the spirit of reforming State government and the spirit of bipartisanship, I am appointing Democratic State Senator Carl Kruger to chair the Senate Committee on Social Services, Children and Families," Senator Bruno said. "This is a new day in the Capitol and the appointment of Senator Kruger clearly demonstrates our willingness to put partisanship aside and work together in the best interests of all New Yorkers."
In accepting this appointment, Senator Kruger said, "The message that Governor Spitzer has articulated has cre-ated the atmosphere where this could happen. He emphasized the need to set aside politics and partisanship for the sake of the public interest, ethics and good governance."
"I wanted the best person possible to take on this critically important committee and Senator Kruger was at the top of the list," Senator Bruno said. "He has an outstanding record of compassion and public service, representing his Brooklyn district for 13 years. He is well respected and known for his ability to work with people to get a positive result and that is the kind of person we need to chair this committee."
Senator Kruger noted that he has been and will always remain a "lifelong, independent Democrat" who is "not changing his party and will not be joining the Majority conference."
"Senator Bruno, to his credit, has been steadfast in his belief that this appointment be totally and completely blind to a political agenda and, instead, be about providing a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, including soci-ety's most vulnerable citizens - the disabled, the infirm, our senior citizens, youth and all those who will benefit from the strong voice of advocacy," Senator Kruger said.
Senator Kruger said that he hopes that "this nonpartisan agenda of reform will continue to grow until it is common practice in the Legislature."
A graphic example of this philosophy was best demonstrated by Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who stated, "the ap-pointment of Senator Carl Kruger as Chair of the Committee on Social Services, Children and Families could be the dawn of a new day in the Legislature." "Actions such as this one send a powerful message to the people of New York State, a message that reflects the original intent of the Founding Fathers, that good governance is defined by loyalty to the public interest and not private concerns," Senator Kruger said.