Letter to Dennis M. Walcott

April 7, 2011

Dennis M. Walcott

Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development

The City of New York

City Hall

New York, NY 10007

Dear Deputy Mayor Walcott:

            I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to you on your recent selection by the Mayor as chancellor of the New York City school system. Though her tenure was short, I enjoyed a great working relationship with Cathie Black and I look forward to enjoying the same with you as you begin your new work.

With your selection, the Mayor has made a strong choice and has entrusted the future of the over one million New York City school children into very capable and experienced hands. I applaud the exceptional work you have done for the last 9 years as Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development, and am excited as well as confident in the work you will do as the next New York City schools chancellor.

On behalf of my constituents and the students of Queens, I would like to take this time to invite you to return home in order to address the people of Queens and discuss your vision and the challenges that lay ahead. We would like to hold a town hall meeting as soon as possible to give the people of Queens an early opportunity to celebrate and congratulate one of its sons who it takes great pride in, and to forge an early relationship with the new chancellor and to continue to build on an already strong bond of partnership to benefit all our young people in New York City.

Once again, congratulations and I look forward to hearing from you.

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                                                                                                                                                          Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                          Malcolm A. Smith

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              State Senator, 14^th District