Elmont Online

Martins Sworn In to Packed Audience in State Senate

Last Tuesday, Jack Martins was sworn is as State Senator for the 7^th Senate district before a packed crowd in the historic Senate chamber in Albany. Hundreds traveled to Albany for the ceremony where Martins took the oath of office from Joseph G. Cairo, Jr. Hosting the event was New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

Senator Skelos opened the ceremony by thanking everyone for coming to the State’s Capitol to see Martins take the oath. “Communities will have a strong, dedicated voice standing up for them in the Senate. Senator Martins will be an advocate and is already making his presence felt in the Senate,” said Skelos.

Martins took the oath of office in the well of the ornate Senate chamber. Supporters, family and friends sat in Senate seats and lined the walls and gallery during the ceremony. The Senator’s family stood around him as he took the oath and gave remarks to all assembled. Lined across the back of the chamber, television cameras from across the State taped the ceremony. At the conclusion of the oath, the chamber erupted in applauds and the new Senator received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Martins thanked all those assembled for their help and support throughout the campaign and recount process. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you. Being your Senator is an honor and privilege. I will always remember the people I have met going door to door in neighborhoods. I heard their voices. People are hurting. And, I am going to be a voice in this Senate for the people who were forgotten about in this State. I can promise all of you two things. First, nobody will ever outwork me. Second, I will always tell you the truth. We will agree on issues and we may disagree. The difference will be that there will be dialogue amongst all of us. I will listen. I will act. I will fight and never back down when it comes to our communities. And we will do great things by working together.”

Local leaders were quick to point out that Martins will indeed have a powerful say in State business. “Right from his swear-in, Senator Martins made it clear that tax relief, creating jobs and revitalizing communities is where he will be focusing his work. Senator Martins has already talked to us and is eager to make things happen. Things are really looking up for Elmont,” said Sandra Smith, Chairman of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development.

Scott Cushing, Elmont 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Chairman added, “I was so pleased to see so many people from throughout the area at the swear-in. Having Senator Martins in the Majority in the State Senate means our schools, hospitals, men and women in Labor and health care workers will have a voice that will protect our interests and not sell us out to the city. When the Senator talks about creating jobs and relieving property taxes, you know he gets it and knows what time it is. What a change from the last couple of years!”

Elmont Young professional Marvin Lee noted, “it was a real honor for me to be sitting in the Senate chamber and to witness Jack Martins becoming Elmont’s Senator. For me, I was personally honored that Jack asked me to come to Albany and be part of this special day. No longer is Elmont forgotten and disrespected. Elmont is back!”

Community leaders from Floral Park, Franklin Square, Stewart Manor and Elmont were on hand for the ceremony. Senator like Kemp Hannon, Lee Zeldin, Carl Marcellino and John Flanagan were in attendance at the ceremony. Councilman Ed Ambrosino, Assemblymembers Dave McDonough, Ed Ra, Brian Curran, Tom McKevitt, Joe Saladino, Michael Montessano, Floral Park Trustee Dominic Longobardi, Franklin Square Library Trustee Frank Ammendolea, former Elmont School Board President Aubrey Phillips, Elmont Inter-School PTA President Barbara Reynolds, Elmont Coalition Chairman Sandra Smith, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Chairman Scott Cushing and Elmont Library Board President Tania Lawes were in attendance.