Tonight, I join with my fellow New Yorkers and with his countless admirers around the world in mourning the passing of my friend and mentor, Governor Mario M. Cuomo. My thoughts and prayers are with former First Lady Matilda Cuomo, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the entire Cuomo family during this difficult and sorrowful time. Truly, New York has lost one of its most beloved and charismatic sons and a leader of extraordinary integrity, eloquence and grace.

Like many Americans, I was deeply inspired by Mario Cuomo’s “Tale of Two Cities” speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. His words ring as true today as they did more than 30 years ago.

Having had the privilege of working with him, I always admired Mario Cuomo’s relentless efforts to extend the compassionate hand of government to those most in need. From “the Family of New York,” to “the Decade of the Child,” Mario Cuomo continuously sought to unite New Yorkers to achieve the common good.

So often the voice of conscience, Mario Cuomo was one of the great leaders in the history of the Empire State and perhaps our greatest communicator. May he rest in peace.