Public Servant. Leader.
Visionary.
Remembering the birthday of a legendary man who has positively impacted our world for 90 years.
Mario Matthew Cuomo June 15, 1932
“I can reasonably choose to believe that with our help, this greatest nation in world history, with the world's biggest economy, the most powerful military and its unique rule of law can deal with its challenges and ultimately take its place as the global leader that helps lead the whole world to a higher level of peace and civility.”
Governor Mario M. Cuomo
Church & State
“Our public morality, -- the moral standards we maintain for everyone, not just the ones we insist on in our private lives -- depends on a consensus view of right and wrong. The values derived from religious belief will not -- and should not -- be accepted as part of the public morality unless they are shared by the pluralistic community at large, by consensus.”
“I think it’s already apparent that a good part of this Nation understands ... that anything which seems to suggest that God favors a political party or the establishment of a state church, is wrong and dangerous. ”
“We know that the price of seeking to force our beliefs on others is that they might some day force theirs on us.”
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Biography
Mario Cuomo was the longest serving Democratic Governor in the modern history of New York State. He was elected New York State's 52nd Governor in 1983 and twice won re-election, setting records for popularity in both contests. Beginning with his widely admired keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention and his celebrated speech on the relationship of religion and politics at Notre Dame, he helped define the progressive political landscape for more than two decades.
“For as long as I have understood our history, I have been consoled by the notion that we are born to a legacy of achievement - to a people who have proven themselves worthiest when the challenges were most severe.”
-Governor Mario M. Cuomo
Shareable Content
Themes
*Content from the speeches can also be found within the Theme headings.
They ask only for a chance to work and to make the world better for their children.
We believe we must be the family of America, recognizing that at the heart of the matter, we are bound one to another.
Decide exactly what you want to achieve. Do you want to help people, or do you want to be powerful?
We need a society that understands interconnectedness and interdependence, a society that knows we should have health care for everybody who needs it.
My favorite thought about Abraham Lincoln is he believed in two things: loving one another and working together to make this world better.
I think it's already apparent that a good part of this Nation understands - if only instinctively - that anything which seems to suggest that God favors a political party or the establishment of a state church, is wrong and dangerous.
We believe in a government strong enough to use words like "love" and "compassion" and smart enough to convert our noblest aspirations into practical realities.
We work harder and we earn less. Income inequality is at the highest point in over a century. While American capitalism never guaranteed success, it did guarantee opportunity, for too many, the dream of economic mobility has been replaced with a nightmare of economic stagnation.
…this society should strive for something better than what it feels at its weakest moments.
The nation needs less anger and more thoughtful reflection, less shouting and more listening, less dissembling and more honesty.
— Governor Mario M. Cuomo
