“Good morning, welcome to New York!” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in Spanish, who participated in the kick-off of the 40th Conference of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).
Previously, the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, had given a speech that highlighted the importance of Latinos in his government, in addition to addressing the challenge about the increase in immigrants, although he began his speech by asking attendees to “spend a lot ” in the Big Apple.
Hochul emphasized the importance of Latinos holding high-profile positions.
“You know you need to have more leaders, high-profile, invisible positions, to inspire young people to want to be there for the next generation,” Hochul said. “That’s why they’re here. We have access to the ballot box, because unleashing the power of the Latino community at the ballot box is incredible.”
Governor Kathy Hochul at the opening of the 40th NALEO Conference. / PHOTO: Jesús García
Photo: Impremedia
The Democratic governor was presented as the first woman to achieve that position, but she considered that more than making history, this achievement sent a message to the new generations.
“It has never been about making history,” he asserted. “It’s about making a difference. What if with my presence here, these girls, brown, white, Asian, see themselves as aiming higher, but they haven’t had role models before […] that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Hochul insisted on the importance of more Latinos being integrated into governments, such as Robert Rodriguez, whom he appointed as Secretary of State.
“I know he comes from one of your programs to cultivate youth leadership. Well done,” she celebrated. “He is a leader he has triumphed over. He has done an amazing job for us.”
Prior to Hochul, the organizers issued a video message from President Joe Biden, who spoke about his policies that benefit Latinos and has allowed the growth of businesses owned by members of this population.
Biden also highlighted investments to improve the internet, help more people have health insurance and reduce the costs of medicines for the elderly.
“I see you, I value you, I will not go anywhere, I will not stop fighting for you,” said the president, who is in Lithuania for the NATO summit.
Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged that New York City faces an “immigration crisis.” / PHOTO: Jesús García
Photo: Impremedia
“People who look like you”
Mayor Adams also celebrated the Latino presence in his government, “people who look like you,” he spoke to the conference attendees at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square.
“[Son] people who look like you [y que] they understand and speak to the issues we all face, and they bring the uniqueness of their life experiences to address the issues we face,” Adams said.
He celebrated NALEO for his 40-year work and now with new challenges, including artificial intelligence, the scenarios left behind by a pandemic such as COVID-19.
“This is an important community and I see it as a partner […] keep going for another 40 years of success,” he said.
The NALEO conference is being held for the first time in New York City. / PHOTO: Jesús García
Photo: Impremedia
A migration crisis
The mayor said that New York City is “a microcosm” of what is happening across the country.
He acknowledged that the city faces an “immigration crisis” with more than 81,000 newly arrived immigrants and asylum seekers.
“Everyone wants to do one thing: participate in the American dream,” he said.
He added that immigrants want to contribute to their families and achieve the right to vote as well.
Representative Adriano Espaillat (right) highlights the diversity and unity of Latinos. / PHOTO: Jesús García
Photo: Impremedia
“You can translate for them”
The representative Adriano Espaillat honored his origin and decided to offer a speech in Spanish, for which he asked some attendees to translate for whoever was sitting next to him.
“New York is a city full of diversity, and here the Puerto Rican community dances salsa, the Mexican community dances its mariachi, the Colombian community dances its cumbia vallenato, the Dominican community dances its merengue and bachata, but we play the same instruments,” he said. Espaillat.
The description of each characteristic and taste of the Latino populations unleashed cheers from the attendees.
“For this reason we must fight to maintain our unity,” he said.
He recognized that the Latino community not only “on a single issue, immigration,” but also on health, education, infrastructure, and civil rights.
He rebutted Governor Adams about there being an immigration crisis in New York.
“I do not see it as a crisis, I see it as a great opportunity and I am sure that this new wave of immigrants will define this great city again,” he said. Arturo Vargas, president of NALEO. / PHOTO: Jesús García
Photo: Impremedia
Espaillat was accompanied by other representatives and officials from New York, such as Jessica González-Rojas, Assemblywoman from New York; Robert Rodríguez, Secretary of State, and Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President.
2023-07-11 21:01:00
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