Statement from Senator Rubén Díaz

September 7, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact: 718-496-4793

Statement from Senator Rubén Díaz

State Senator Rubén Díaz today released the following statement in response to a comment that was made by Senator Neil Breslin on September 1, 2010 at the College of Saint Rose.

“Senator Breslin is in no position to judge the ethical or legislative seriousness with which other members of the Senate take their jobs.  He stated that ‘we have to rid ourselves’ ...  of  ‘people who don't take their responsibilities either ethically seriously or legislatively seriously...’ then specifically mentioned Senator Espada, Hiram Monserrate, and myself.  His comment was unconscionable and uncalled for.

“Hiram Monserrate is no longer a member of the Senate.  Doesn’t Senator Breslin know his Senate history?  Perhaps he just doesn’t take his job seriously.

“The Rules of the Senate specifically require Standing Committees to post annual reports on the Senate web site. The 2009 Report from the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance, which Senator Breslin chairs, does not appear to be posted on either Senator Breslin’s web site or the Insurance Committee web site. Perhaps Senator Breslin does not take this legislative requirement of his job seriously.

“Senator Breslin voted for the ethics reform bill which would have exempted him, an attorney, from some of the bill’s requirements. His vote to protect himself can hardly be considered ethical. Perhaps Senator Breslin does not want to be held to the same ethical standards as others.

“Senator Breslin agreed, for his own selfish reasons, to accept Pedro Espada back into the Democratic Conference following the coup in 2009.  Yet now he states that the Senate should get rid of Senator Espada.  Senator Breslin is showing in no uncertain terms his own hypocrisy. Perhaps he does not take the ethical requirements of his job seriously.

“We need to rid ourselves of people like Neil Breslin whose arrogant display, as well as his lack of morals and ethics have no place in the State Senate.”

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