The Orthodox Union mourns the passing of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Governor Cuomo, the son of immigrants from Salerno, Italy, shared the immigrant experience with many Jews of his generation, being the first of his family to speak English and receive a higher education, and, in fact, grew up side-by-side with Orthodox Jews in the Queens neighborhood in which he was raised.
Mario Cuomo was a friend of the Jewish people, and a man who served all the people of New York State as their 52nd governor. He left his mark as an eloquent man of principle and courage who will long be remembered.
The Orthodox Union offers its heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Matilda Cuomo, to Governor Andrew Cuomo and his siblings and to their entire family.