Triple inauguration at museum

The recently renovated Museum of the Moving Image was the scene of a triple feature, as three Queens politicians were inaugurated on January 20.
Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas all took to the podium to accept their new offices and to give their constituents a taste of their policies and leadership.
Assemblymember Cathy Nolan and State Senator Jose Peralta provided the opening remarks, describing all three as energetic and dynamic leaders for their respective communities.
“I look forward to getting the opportunity to work with the three elected officials whose successful elections we are celebrating tonight,” said Nolan.
Nolan shared host duties with Peralta, who said that the three elections is a testament to the hard work and determination that each official diligently displayed during their campaigns.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver swore in Maloney and said that she is “concerned and active in the communities she represents.”
Maloney said that running for reelection is always a humbling and uplifting endeavor, and that the opportunity to reconnect with the voters gives her a chance to hear what concerns them the most – topping that list is improved health care and jobs.
“Health care is very local and personal,” she said. “I am joining with Borough President Helen Marshall in forming task force to really help hospitals. There have been too many hospital closures in Queens.”
Gianaris, who jumped from the assembly to the senate with this election, said that he will represent the people of Queens in the senate as he did in the assembly – with honesty and loyalty.
“As I embark on my career in the state senate, there are new promises we’re going to make,” he said. “We are going to talk about bringing change to the state senate, budget reform, ethics reform and all sorts of changes that we need to make to bring some credibility back to the state senate and the state of New York.”
Simotas, who is replacing Gianaris in the assembly, was welcomed by Silver, who said that she earned her spot in the assembly with tireless work. Simotas believes it is that same hard work and faith that will help her to represent her district – she also dismissed any critics who might call her young or inexperienced.
“I still believe that public service is a noble calling. I still believe that the work we do in Albany can make a positive difference in the lives of all New Yorkers,” she said. “Some might dismiss this notion as naïve, but I still believe that government can work for working people again.