On the evening of December 5th, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at the Empire State Plaza tree lighting.
Thank you. Hello, Albany. What a great night to be here, are we having fun everybody? This is a lot better than last year, isn’t it? I’m so happy to see everybody in person. What a beautiful celebration.
First of all, I want to acknowledge some people that made this very special for me personally. And I don’t know if you know about this, I’m new to my home in Albany, but I also have someone who’s joined me here today: New York State’s very first First Gentleman, my husband, Bill Hochul, who is so excited to be here today. He actually went out and took hours of his time to pick out the tree that’s in the Executive Home of the Governor, so he loves this season as well, so I’m so happy he could be here. To our friends News 10 ABC, as well as The River. Thank you for making this extra special for us here tonight. And the Reese and the Heritage families. Yes, how wonderful these trees look, they look amazing! Thank you. Thank you.
Our brand new commissioner of OGS. You have no idea the responsibility that our great leader, Jeanette Moy has, on her shoulders. Every single building you see here she’s responsible for, as well as all over the State too, due to her. And her children, I want them to stand up and take a round of applause, so your whole family, your mom has a really big job here, so be extra nice to your mom! And the NYPA Interim President, Justin Driscoll, and well, you also heard our elected officials here, the Assembly Members that I worked so closely with, our County Executive Dan McCoy, as well our mayor, Kathy Sheehan. And I think I heard it might be our birthday today. Let’s say happy birthday to the great mayor of the City of Albany, Kathy Sheehan. Happy birthday, Mayor!
Well, I don’t want to hold this up. We are so excited to be here to light this tree. And we light this tree, not only will it light up the space we are here together in tonight, but also send a message of hope. That as we finished what has been a rough year and a half, that we had joined together as families, reflect on beautiful Christmases past, but look to the future, with a tremendous sense of optimism. And we will beat back this pandemic, we will be stronger at the other side, and this will be a Christmas that you’ll always remember: the first time we got back after a year off. My friends, let’s light that tree!
