Mario Cuomo Inspired me to a Life of Public Service

In his eulogy to his father, Gov. Andrew Cuomo mentioned that Mario was disinterested in politics until he became involved with homeowners from Queens who had a housing issue. I too was disinterested in politics until one night, when I happened to hear a speech on TV—Mario Cuomo's 1984 keynote address to the Democratic National Convention. At the time I was a lecturer at Binghamton University, teaching philosophy and psychology. By the time Cuomo reached the end of his remarks, the direction of my life had changed. I committed myself to a life of public service and became involved with our local Democratic Committee.

Two years later, I attended an event at which the governor was speaking. I was determined to talk with him. I wanted to tell him that his convention speech had changed my life. In the crush of people trying to reach him, I was pushed aside by a state trooper who was trying to protect the governor. Apparently someone noticed and told Cuomo what had happened.

An hour or so later I received a call from someone claiming to be Mario Cuomo. What happened next was right out of a bad comedy sketch. I tried unsuccessfully to determine who was impersonating the governor. "Who is this really?" I asked. But much to my shock and delight, it really was him, calling to apologize for not being able to talk with me at the event. After asking me what I wanted to tell him, I blurted out how much I had enjoyed his speech that day. That's when I learned one of the most important political lessons of my career: Never say something that you are not prepared to explain. He asked what exactly I had liked about his speech. Fortunately for me, I had something specific to say. I was on my way.

In his 1984 speech Mario Cuomo said, "We believe in a government strong enough to use words like love and compassion, and smart enough to convert our noblest aspirations into practical realities." It was this sentiment that propelled me into political life. To this day it defines my own idealistic yet pragmatic approach to politics. Thank you, Mario Cuomo, for reminding all of us how futures are really built.

Donna Lupardo is a state assemblywoman whose district includes the City of Binghamton and the Towns of Vestal and Union in New York’s Southern Tier region.