Giving Thanks This Holiday Season

As I prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, I cannot help think of all the reasons I have to be grateful. First and foremost, I am grateful for my loved ones who have supported me throughout my life and continue to do so as I prepare to enter my ninth year in the New York State Senate, representing the hardworking people of Central and Northern New York.

This Thanksgiving, I hope we can all take a moment to recognize what it is that is important in our lives and truly be thankful for what we have.  In addition to our family, friends and neighbors, we have people in our world—many of whom we do not even know—who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy days like Thanksgiving.  Our first responders, police officers, correctional officers and firefighters are the faces of our freedom. I know I speak for everyone when I say I am tremendously grateful for the men and women of Fort Drum, those present and past, for their service and sacrifice to keep us safe.  They often miss holiday time with family so we do not have to.

Moreover, as we sit to eat on this Thanksgiving, our thanks should extend to those who have worked so hard to ensure our plates are filled with fresh foods.  Our family farmers work incredibly hard, often sacrificing their time with family to ensure New Yorkers are able to enjoy the foods that keep us healthy. Our farmers face many challenges to get foods from the fields to our plates and it is up to us to support them as they do so.

Last, but certainly not least, I am grateful the opportunity to represent you. Whether it is an issue you are facing, a concern you want to share or an idea you have for making our region better—it is you, and your involvement in government that helps me to do my job to the best of my ability. It is not a job any one person can do alone, and I would like to thank you for your support, as well as your continued trust in me. Soon, I will be heading back to Albany for the 2020 Legislative Session. I look forward to continuing to fight on your behalf for our region, and I know that with your support, we will continue to improve life here in Central and Northern New York.

On this Thanksgiving, I hope you will join me in pausing to express your gratefulness for all of life’s blessings—both big and small. Best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving, spent with those you love.