Open Memo to Senator Dean Skelos

To: New York State Senator Dean G. Skelos

From: New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz

Date: October 24, 2011

Re: First Legislative Hispanic Unity Conference

As everyone already knows, the Six New York State Hispanic Senators unanimously boycotted your Unidad Latina Legislative Conference that you organized in an attempt to garner the support of New York’s Hispanic Community.

I also hear that your so-called Unity Conference was not only boycotted by all Hispanic Senators, but by all of the elected Hispanic officials from New York State. Only some Republicans and Democrats who are not Hispanic attended.

A Legislative Hispanic Unity Conference without Hispanic Legislators in attendance? A Legislative Hispanic Unity Conference without any Hispanic Senators who happen to be your colleagues? This speaks volumes!

Please note that the six Hispanic Senators who serve as your colleagues in the New York State Senate represent communities that are suffering from the severe Budget cuts that you pushed through this year.

I hope (and in speaking for myself) you will understand that until you build a dialogue with the six Hispanic Senators who serve as your colleagues in the New York State Senate, some of us will have a reason not to participate in your publicity events.

Please feel free to contact me at (718) 496-4793 to discuss this matter further.