Mitt Romney needs a reality check. What else is new?

Earlier today, Time published excerpts from Mitt Romney's as-prepared speech at Mississippi State.  Among the prepared remarks were these.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cluelessly pressed a reset button for Russia, which smiled and then invaded Ukraine, a sovereign nation. The Middle East and much of North Africa is in chaos. China grows more assertive and builds a navy that will be larger than ours in five years. We shrink our nuclear capabilities as Russia upgrades theirs.

There really is nothing earth-shattering in Romney's cluelessness, but I thought it would make sense to point out that Russia's economy is in shambles and not about to recover.  While she was Secretary of State,  Hillary Clinton made sure Russia could do no such upgrading.  Shouldn't a presidential candidate have some knowledge of foreign affairs?

If this is an example of a big Romney attack, bring it on!  He doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks After Exchange of Instruments of Ratification for the New START Treaty

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Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks After Exchan..., posted with vodpod

Remarks After Exchange of Instruments of Ratification for the New START Treaty

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DCFebruary 5, 2011

Today, we exchange the instruments of ratification for a treaty that lessens the nuclear dangers facing the Russian and American people and the world. Two years ago, we all laughed about the translation of the ceremonial "Reset Button" that I gave the Foreign Minister in Geneva, but when it came to the translation that mattered most, our two countries, led by our two presidents, turned words into action to reach a milestone in our strategic partnership. And when it comes to the button that has worried us the most over the years -- the one that would unleash nuclear destruction --today, we take another step to ensure it will never be pushed. Our countries will immediately begin notifying each other of changes in our strategic forces. Within 45 days, we will exchange full data on our weapons and facilities, and 60 days from now we can resume the inspections that allow each side to trust but verify.

[slideshow]
Additional information on START is available. See links below.
New START Treaty Entry into Force
The Role of the Nuclear Risk Reduction Centers

************************************************************

Well that didn’t take long.  Yesterday Al Jazeera America was running a ticker header saying that after this wrong-headed speech by Romney, key donors turned to Jeb Bush.  Then today, this.

Mitt Romney all smiles at Manhattan luncheon after deciding against a 2016 presidential run

BY Annie Karni

At lunch, the Romneys dined with Chelsea Clinton and her husband, Marc Mezvinsky —

Read more >>>>

All’s well that ends well.

Of Course Hillary Clinton Will Testify As Requested!

Hillary has nothing to hide.  Naturally she will cooperate.  "She did not hesitate for one second."

Congressman: Hillary Clinton agrees to testify to House's Benghazi panel

By Dan Merica, CNN

 

Washington (CNN)Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has agreed to testify to the House's select committee investigating Benghazi, the panel's Democratic ranking member told CNN on Tuesday.

Rep. Elijah Cummings said that Clinton agreed to testify before the committee investigating the 2012 terrorist attack in December after her contacted her a months earlier.

"The chairman asked me back in September to inquire as to whether Secretary Clinton would testify," Cummings said. "She immediately said she would and that she wanted to come in December, but if December did not work, she would come in January. She said I'll do it, period. The fact is she was very clear. She did not hesitate for one second."

"My biggest regret is what happened in Benghazi," Clinton said in January 2014. "It was a terrible tragedy losing four Americans, two diplomats and -- now it is public so I can say -- two CIA operatives."

Read more >>>>

Hillary Clinton's Too Small to Fail: January Review

It was an active month for Too Small to Fail with Chelsea in the spotlight.

Article and video From People >>>>

Wednesday

Jan 21

2015

Too Small to Fail, Text4baby and Sesame Street Launch First National Text-To-Parents Program To Support Young Children’s Early Language Development

New York, NY

Press Release

New York, NY — Too Small to Fail and Sesame Street launched today a new text-to-parents program in partnership with the free mobile health information service, Text4baby, to distribute research-based tips to new parents about the importance of talking, reading and singing with their newborn children. The service will reach Text4baby’s network of subscribers that has reached more than 820,000 parents nationwide at no charge to participants.
This new text-to-parents program of 'Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing’ is the first national partnership to use texting to deliver tips on early language development to parents of infants. Research-based tips developed by Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, will provide parents with specific ways they can promote their infants’ early language development and support Sesame’s mission to help all kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder. Each early language development tip sent out through Text4baby will also be paired with a link to an engaging and relevant video, also produced by Sesame Workshop. These videos, featuring real parents and children, as well as the Sesame Street Muppets, will model for parents how to engage in the specific behaviors promoted through the tips.
From meal time to bath time to bed time, text messages will span a wide range of topics aimed at helping parents find fun and meaningful ways to incorporate talking, reading and singing to their babies into their everyday moments and routines. For additional parenting resources, visit www.talkingisteaching.org andwww.sesamestreet.org/talking.
Originally announced at Clinton Global Initiative America, this partnership builds off the latest research about the power and potential of providing parents with key information to promote early literacy development through text messaging. Recent research has found that communicating with parents through mobile text can be a highly effective strategy for producing positive learning outcomes for children. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that San Francisco preschoolers whose parents received text messages with highly-specific tips on reading to their children or helping them sound out letters and words performed better on literacy tests than children whose parents did not receive such messages.
Beginning today, parents who have signed up for the Text4baby service will receive early language development messages beginning from their baby’s 9th week of development, and every other week thereafter until their baby turns one. The text-based tips will be made available in both English and Spanish. Too Small to Fail will also work with community partners and pediatricians in Tulsa, OK and Oakland, CA, as well as in other cities across the country, to encourage parents of infants to sign up for the service.
New parents can sign up for this service by texting BABY (or BEBE in Spanish) to 511411. To access even more early learning tips and information, visitwww.talkingisteaching.org.

New Year, Old (and New!) Routines

Singing songs at bedtime, eating dinner together every day, reading a special book to your baby or toddler—these are all routines that children enjoy sharing with parents and caregivers. But routines also play an important developmental role, because they help children develop stronger social and emotional health that can benefit them long-term.
According to a study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, routines can improve the social and emotional health of young children. Researchers found that story telling, shared meal times, singing and play routines doubled the odds of a child having high social and emotional health. Other studies have shown similar findings. Turns out that routines help children learn to trust and depend on others. This is a valuable asset for stability in relationships, and strengthens parent-child bonding time.
In addition, routines help babies and toddlers better manage emotions, since they know what to expect and aren’t as easily pulled into power struggles with parents and caregivers.
While family life can often be chaotic, there are many ways that parents can introduce routine into their children’s lives. Finding time to have regular meals together can be challenging for busy families, but this time together offers a great way for parents to build trust with children and encourage new vocabulary. Establishing a regular bedtime is also a great way for parents to help their children get the physical and mental rest they need, while providing a comforting way to regularly connect through bedtime stories or songs.

Resources for Sharing:

• This article from ZERO TO THREE explains how routines benefits babies and young children—as well as adults!
• Real advice for parents from this PBS Parents expert about creating routines for children, from birth through teenage years.
• This article from Michelle Howell Miller on Huffington Post shares how a bedtime routine benefits young children.

Video

Watch this childhood expert explain why routines are important for babies, toddlers and even older children. >>

Active Play is Good For Everyone!

Ever notice how some young children appear capable of generating enough energy through their movements to power a large city block for a day? Whether by running in circles, swinging their arms or jumping up and down in place for a long stretch of time, many babies and toddlers enjoy levels of physical activity that exhaust all but the most physically fit adults.
A young child’s instinct for movement and active play is an important one. In addition to helping them develop good habits and physical health, active play also helps them develop critical emotional and communication skills that will benefit them through childhood and into adulthood. Physical activity helps children understand how to interact with their environment—like how to throw a ball or hang from a monkey bar—and provides them with the self-confidence they need to actually do those things. And when children play with adults or other children, they learn how to communicate their needs more effectively and better manage their emotions. A research study published in Pediatrics in September 2014 showed that children who engaged in active play for at least an hour a day were better able to think creatively and multitask than other children who were not as active.
Like practicing an instrument, engaging in physical play builds muscle memory and helps children apply new skills towards other activities.
Parents and caregivers can encourage their children’s natural desire to play and move by starting early and getting active with them! Instead of always placing their infants in a sitting position, parents can try placing young babies on a towel on the floor so that they can strengthen their muscles and prepare to crawl or walk. Parents of toddlers can also practice throwing soft balls to them and encouraging them to throw it back, or by singing songs together like “Hokey Pokey”, which encourage dancing and following instructions.

 

Resources for Sharing:

• This article from ZERO TO THREE explains how physical play helps children learn, grow strong and become better communicators!
• Current research highlighting the importance of physical play to children can be found in this story by National Public Radio (NPR).
• Great ideas for encouraging physical play in toddlers in this piece from KidsHealth

Video

Watch Chelsea Clinton and Elmo enjoy a heart-to-heart about talking, reading and singing to babies, as featured in People Magazine! >>

Tweets from Hillary Clinton: R.I.P. Ernie Banks and @Madeleine

 

 

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

I'll never forget watching Ernie Banks play- broke barriers, loved baseball & life. We'll miss Mr. Cub. #LetsPlayTwo http://goo.gl/gwl6PW 

ABC 7 Chicago

PHOTOS: Ernie 'Mr. Cub' Banks, 1931-2015

By ABC 7 Chicago @ABC7Chicago

Chicago Cubs legend Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks died at age 83 on Jan. 15, 2015, in Chicago.

****************************************************

 

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

.@madeleine there must be something in the water @Wellesley. #YouGoGirl

 

 

Madeleine AlbrightVerified account ‏@madeleine

Statistics show that @Wellesley alums make great Secretaries - right @HillaryClinton ? Thx @AlbrightInst!

 

 

Hillary Clinton to Keynote Toner Prize Event

Hillary will be the keynote speaker at this prestigious Washington, D.C. event sponsored by Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to deliver keynote at Newhouse School’s Toner Prize celebration

January 23, 2015

The ceremony will be held March 23 in Washington

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the keynote speaker at the award celebration for the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting March 23 in Washington, D.C.

Clinton

The Toner Prize, sponsored by the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, honors the life and work of the late Robin Toner ’76, the first woman to be national political correspondent for The New York Times. Toner was a summa cum laude graduate of Syracuse.

“It’s an extraordinary pleasure to have Secretary Clinton as our speaker at this important event,” says Newhouse Dean Lorraine Branham. “She is a vivid example—like Robin—of a pioneering woman at the top of her profession.”

Read more >>>>

President and Secretary Clinton on the Passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

Statement by President Clinton and Secretary Clinton on the Death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

New York, NY

Statement

Hillary and I are saddened by the passing of His Majesty Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. I had many dealings with His Majesty during and after my presidency, as did Hillary both inside and outside the State Department, and we are grateful for his support of efforts for peace in the Middle East; our close economic cooperation; the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts around the world; especially its contributions after the earthquake in Haiti; and his efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia’s economy and education systems – as embodied by King Abdullah University, the Kingdom’s first coeducational institution of higher education.  Hillary and I are also grateful for his personal friendship and kindness toward our family and we join the Saudi people in mourning his loss and send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.

Hillary Clinton in Saskatoon - Not With 65 Secret Service Agents, Though

Hillary wrapped up her one-day visit to Canada in Saskatchewan last night.  Here is some local coverage.

Extremism spreading, Hillary Clinton tells Saskatoon crowd

Former U.S. secretary of state praises Canadian health care, says she admires Tommy Douglas

CBC News Posted: Jan 21, 2015 5:30 AM CTLast Updated: Jan 22, 2015 7:12 AM CT

Hillary Clinton talked about terrorism, democracy, the importance of early childhood education, but not the Keystone XL pipeline. (CBC)

Terrorism, democracy, and Saskatchewan's early leadership role in health care were among the topics covered by Hillary Clinton in Saskatoon Wednesday.
The former U.S. secretary of state did not quite pack the house at TCU Place. But close to 2,000 people streamed in to hear a speech by the woman who is widely expected to make a second bid for the U.S. presidency.
They paid in the range of $84 to $315 for the privilege.
Clinton focused most of her formal address on the topic of Islamic extremism — and how the U.S. and Canada should respond. Coincidentally, it was the same evening that the Amadiyya Muslim Students' Association was holding a video presentation and discussion at the University of Saskatchewan, on Islamist de-radicalization.
Read more >>>>

Here are a few additional photos.

 

Finally, to cap off the foray above the border,  BIG thanks to Dan Merica and Cassie Spodak at CNN for refuting a ridiculous lie that buzzed around the Hillary-nets this week.  For the record:

No, Hillary Clinton didn't go to Canada with 65 Secret Service agents

By Dan Merica and Cassie Spodak, CNN

Hillary Clinton did not have 65 Secret Service agents with her in Canada, a source tells CNN.

Story highlights

• A security supervisor said "approximately 65 agents" traveled to Canada with Hillary Clinton
• That report was picked up by conservative media and an anti-Clinton group
• "This number is grossly inaccurate and exaggerated," a Secret Service source tells CNN

Washington (CNN)Hillary Clinton did not have 65 Secret Service agents protecting her in Canada on Wednesday, a Secret Service source told CNN, despite a report from a Canadian radio station to the contrary.

Read more >>>>

Hillary Clinton in Winnipeg

Hillary was above the border today beginning her Canadian trek in Winnipeg for lunch.  A new Facebook page,  Canadians for Hillary Clinton,  shared this lovely account of the event.

Standing ovations for Clinton from Winnipeg crowd

By: Mary Agnes Welch

She opened with a "Peg" joke, gently refused to be drawn into a debate about the Keystone pipeline or her political future and earned two standing ovations from a huge Winnipeg crowd.
In between, likely presidential contender and former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton gave two shout-outs to Manitoba Hydro’s plans to build a new power line to Minnesota and a nod to rookie mayor Brian Bowman, the city’s first Métis mayor. No one in the crowd of nearly 2,000 seemed to mind Clinton pronounced the S on the end of Métis.
Speaking without notes and untethered from the podium, Clinton began by extolling the friendly relationship between Canada and the United States. She said no border is more peaceful and no two countries share more core values.
Read more >>>>

Here are some pics.

MSNBC shared a video of Hillary's Putin impression here >>>

 

 

Tweets from Hillary Clinton: SOTU Review

Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton  ·  

@BarackObama #SOTU pointed way to an economy that works for all. Now we need to step up & deliver for the middle class. #FairShot #FairShare

Tweets from Hillary Clinton: MLK Day

 

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

What would MLK say today? Great strides but miles to go. We have to keep up the fight against injustice. #MLKDay

Of COURSE Hillary Clinton Designated Boko Haram! Stop being stupid!

There is a lot of BS going on out there about Hillary.  The worst was a report that as Secretary of State she did not designate Boko Haram terrorist. Not true.

Terrorist Designations of Boko Haram Commander Abubakar Shekau, Khalid al-Barnawi and Abubakar Adam Kambar

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 21, 2012

---

The Department of State designated Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar, and Khalid al-Barnawi as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224. Shekau is the most visible leader of the Nigeria-based militant group Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, commonly referred to as Boko Haram. Khalid al-Barnawi and Abubakar Adam Kambar have ties to Boko Haram and have close links to al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Under Shekau’s leadership, Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in northern Nigeria, its primary area of operation. In the last 18 months, Boko Haram or associated militants have killed more than 1,000 people. Boko Haram is credited with the August 26, 2011 attack on the United Nations building in Abuja that killed at least 23 people and wounded scores more. Boko Haram also claimed responsibility for the December 25, 2011 attack on the Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria, that killed at least 35 and wounded dozens more. Boko Haram’s deadliest violence occurred on January 20, 2012 in Kano, Nigeria, with a series of attacks that killed more than 180 people. Boko Haram's victims have been overwhelmingly civilian.
The designation under E.O. 13224 blocks all of Shekau’s, Kambar’s and al-Barnawi’s property interests subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with or for the benefit of these individuals. These designations demonstrate the United States’ resolve in diminishing the capacity of Boko Haram to execute violent attacks. The Department of State took these actions in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.

For more about terrorist designation protocols and listings under Hillary’s command please see this post from last May.

Hillary Clinton Studies: Terrorist Designations

May 8, 2014 by still4hill | Edit

No,  it is not really a course and this is not really an assignment but rather an exercise in reality.  It is ironic, sad, and despicable  that, while reality TV is so popular,  a lot of cable “news” apparently consists of stories woven of fictional tapestries rooted in no reality whatsoever.
SNIP
Hillary’s defenders would do well to go here and do what is unquestionably nitpicky tedious work following terrorist designation chronology.
The rationale for this project is that now Hillary Clinton’s State Department is under media scrutiny for not designating Boko Haram a terrorist entity while she was in charge.  Given that she used the “T-Word” about them yesterday, it is reasonable to expect that opponents are going to sniff an opportunity to go on an offensive.
SNIP
The simplest rebuttal to why she used that word is that indeed Boko Haram now is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).   John Kerry issued that designation in November 2013 based on the groundwork laid by Hillary Clinton’s State Department.  It is the accurate term.

It is instructive to follow the Haqqani network here.
Haqqani individuals were designated first (05/11/11, 08/16/11, 11/01/11).  Later (09/07/12) Hillary sent a report to Congress saying she was designating Haqqani, the entity,  an FTO.    Boko Haram individuals were also designated first (06/21/12) under Hillary Clinton.  Designation of the entity as an FTO  came later under her successor.
Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs under Hillary, a dedicated and diligent public servant and her State Department methodically followed protocol all during her administration at DOS.
Read more >>>>

Tweets from Hillary Clinton: Financial Reform

 

Hillary ClintonVerified account ‏@HillaryClinton

Attacking financial reform is risky and wrong. Better for Congress to focus on jobs and wages for middle class families.

Hillary Clinton and Carole King to Team Up for a Fundraiser

Carole King, Hillary Clinton, Live. Top Tickets: $100,000

• By Peter Nicholas

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, greets Senator Dianne Feinstein as singer Carole King, left, at an October fundraiser.

Associated Press

Amid preparing for her likely presidential bid, Hillary Clinton is also helping raise money for her family’s charitable foundation.
On March 4 she is to appear at a Clinton Foundation fundraising dinner in New York City that is offering tickets for up to $100,000 apiece, a copy of the invitation shows.
Carole King, the songwriter best known for her 1971 album, “Tapestry,” is listed as the special musical guest. Unknown at this point whether she’ll perform “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Read more >>>>
 

Happy Anniversary to La Gaceta de Hillary Clinton!

One year ago the Spanish-language Facebook group La Gaceta de Hillary Clinton debuted.   Happy Anniversary!  La Gaceta provides important information about Hillary's work in Spanish for the Latino community.   Congratulations and best wishes for continued success and growth.

From Hillary Clinton's Too Small to Fail: Reading Aloud to Children

The Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children

Reading aloud to children from birth has many benefits for both parents and children—and can be great fun!  No matter how young, children can learn a lot when they are read to, and benefit a great deal from the cuddling and bonding that accompanies a reading session. In addition, the act of reading aloud to children is highly beneficial to both their vocabulary growth and in preparing them for school later on.
Even from birth, children are absorbing language by listening to their parents and caregivers talk, read and sing to them and others.  When parents and caregivers read to their children, they help instill a love of learning and language in their children that helps build self-esteem, confidence and curiosity. According to research by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reading has been found to be the “single most important skill” for a productive life.
Unfortunately, according to Read Aloud 15 MINUTES, only 48% of young children in the United States are read to each day. And studies have shown that as many as 10 million children struggle with basic reading in school.
Parents and caregivers can inspire a love of books in their young children by reading books together every day, in any language. And it doesn’t matter how young the child is; even newborn babies show interest and excitement when their parents read simple books to them as they cuddle or nurse them, or when parents describe the pictures in a book during a short play session. No matter the book—and no matter the age—children will learn to love reading if it means spending more time with loved ones.

Resources for Sharing:

• Tips for choosing books for babies and toddlers, from ZERO TO THREE. Also, tips for reading aloud.
• Four ways to encourage a love of reading, from Parenting.
• Check out this list of favorite baby and toddlers books from NAEYC.

INFOGRAPHIC

This beautifully illustrated infographic has great info on reading aloud to children, and why it matters. >><

Bill and Hillary Clinton Attend Funeral for Mario Cuomo

The funeral mass was held at St. Ignatius Loyola on Park Avenue.  The celebrant, Father Alex Witt,  noted that Mario Cuomo specifically requested a simple funeral.  Cuomo family members delivered readings.  Governor Andrew Cuomo gave the eulogy and thanked the Clintons and other dignitaries for attending.  The video and transcript can be accessed at C-SPAN.

Mario Cuomo served three terms as New York governor from 1982 to 1994.   He and his wife Matilda had three daughters, two sons, 13 granddaughters, and a grandson named Mario who was born just before Christmas.

Here are screenshots from the service.



Father Witt and Governor Cuomo spoke of Mario Cuomo's admiration for Teilhard de Chardin (also one of my heroes).  Father Witt ended the service with this prayer by Chardin.

Prayer for the Grace to Age Well

When the signs of age begin to mark my body
(and still more when they touch my mind);
when the ill that is to diminish me or carry me off
strikes from without or is born within me;
when the painful moment comes
in which I suddenly awaken
to the fact that I am ill or growing old;
and above all at that last moment
when I feel I am losing hold of myself
and am absolutely passive within the hands
of the great unknown forces that have formed me;
in all those dark moments, O God,
grant that I may understand that it is you
(provided only my faith is strong enough)
who are painfully parting the fibres of my being
in order to penetrate to the very marrow
of my substance and bear me away within yourself.

Hillary Clinton: New Yorkers' Dream Date

The 2016 election polls are so last year that I long ago stopped posting them.  This one from a week ago, though,  is just quirky and perky enough to be interesting as we all head into the first work week of the new year.  Hillary is the date of choice, to the surprise of absolutely nobody here.  Happy 2015, everybody!

December 29, 2014 - Hillary Is New York's New Year's Date Of Choice; Quinnipiac University Poll Finds
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the New Year's Eve date of choice for 37 percent of New York State voters, while 8 percent want to toast to 2015 with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and 8 percent want to sing "Auld Lang Syne" with Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. But 45 percent of voters say "none of them."
Clinton, New York's adopted daughter and former U.S. Senator, is the New Year's date of choice for 43 percent of women, 30 percent of men, 52 percent of Democrats and 45 percent of voters 18 to 29 years old, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds.
Read more >>>>

On the Passing of Governor Mario Cuomo from President and Secretary Clinton

Thursday

Jan 01

2015

Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton on the Passing of Governor Mario Cuomo

Statement

We are terribly saddened by the passing of our friend Mario Cuomo. Mario's life was the very embodiment of the American dream. When he placed my name in nomination at the 1992 Democratic Convention, he said government had "the solemn obligation to create opportunity for all our people." In his three terms as Governor of New York, he honored that obligation. It was Mario Cuomo's great gift and our good fortune that he was both a sterling orator and a passionate public servant. His life was a blessing. Our hearts and prayers go out to Matilda, Andrew, Margaret, Maria, Madeline, Christopher, his grandchildren, and all who were blessed by his life.