Griffo & Brindisi Take the Oath of Office with Middle School Students Observing

For The Second Time, Two Mohawk Valley State Legislators Hold a Ceremony to Give Children a Real-Life Civics Lesson

WHITESBORO -  State Senator Joseph Griffo, a Rome Republican and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, a Utica Democrat may belong to different political parties, but for the second time, the two state legislators were sworn in at a public school in the Mohawk Valley, to give students and members of the public a chance to ask questions about the political process.

Oneida County Family Court Judge Randal Caldwell today administered the oath of office to the two state legislators, who then took questions from the audience of students at the Parkway Middle School in Whitesboro.

“Senator Griffo and I may not agree on everything, but when it comes to the important issues, we have always worked together,” Brindisi said.  “Strengthening our economy, improving education, and keeping our families safe are among our priorities.  I am pleased that for the second time, we took the oath of office before a group of young people.  I think this ceremony is a real-life civics lesson, where students can see that even though we are from opposite political parties, we work together on many important issues to make Mohawk Valley a better place,” Brindisi said.

“Assemblyman Brindisi and I believe civic engagement is an important value that should be instilled at a young age.  We brought our ceremony to the middle school so that these students could see how the process works, and ask questions about why our job is important and how it impacts their lives.  I am happy that the people of the 47^th Senate District elected me, and I am pleased to share this moment with our children,” Griffo said.

In January, 2013, the two legislators were sworn into office in similar ceremonies at Bellamy Elementary School in Rome, and at Watson Williams Elementary School in Utica.