By Robin Nash

The historic Riverside Church in Harlem was filled to capacity on January 5th, 2007 for the inauguration celebration of Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson. He had officially been sworn in on January 1, but this celebration was for the people of Harlem whom he served in various capacities for many years including the New York State Senate where he was minority leader. The event was open to the public and among the hundreds of well-wishers on hand were the elite of New York politics past and present, including Congressman Charles Rangel, NYC Councilmember Inez Dickens, Governor Eliot Spitzer and Paterson’s father, former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson. The elder Paterson was the first African American to hold the post of Secretary of State and now the younger is the first to hold the post of Lieutenant Governor. Mistress of Ceremonies, actress Phylicia Rashad summed up the sentiments of the crowd. “We are very grateful, we are very proud,” she said.

In his speech Paterson reached back in black history. “I revere Frederick Douglass for his tenacity and his courage. As a public servant, I just hope and pray that I can learn from his example,” he said. “In his remarks made over 150 years ago, he talked about slavery and justice, and the immorality in government. He talked about the obstacles to progress and the people who suffered because of it and then he offered a solution. The solution was reform. Reform. Reading that speech, I realized that above all else reform must see the moral purpose and burden of government. Looking into the future, Douglas imagined that reform would not be easy or unopposed, but Douglass insisted that it was necessary and said that the battle is the price we pay for living. It’s a different time; we are now in a vastly changing world. But reform still counts many enemies and few friends. Douglass in his remarks went on to say that the opponents of reform are motivated by materialism and opposing the status quo. He said that we denigrate slaves, women and strangers instead of those who oppose reform and that in respect to change, and I quote, ‘They will revolt all change unless it is lined with gold and silver and copper.’”

Paterson continued, “This is why we need reform in this current age. We are not to be so arrogant to believe the state to be perfect. We are not to be so foolish as to believe that public servants are without fault. But if we don’t try hard to change things, and if we accept the status quo, then the moral imperative of government will be lost and we elected officials will have betrayed your public trust,” he said to resounding applause.

Though the power of the Lieutenant Governor was diminished under Gov. George Pataki, he is the presiding officer of the State Senate and should anything happen to the governor, he is the person who would take over the running of the government. And according to Gov. Spitzer he is changing how his predecessor handled the position. “I’ve given him [Paterson] portfolios where he is an expert, where he can help govern the state,” said Spitzer. For his part Paterson said he will lead initiatives into stem cell funding, alternative energy, and minority and women owned businesses.

He thanked the people in the Harlem neighborhood where he grew up. “I’m still going to live there, and I’m proud that I live there,” he said. He also thanked Eliot Spitzer for selecting him as his running mate. “Imagine,” he joked, “the sheriff of Wall Street picked a deputy from 125th Street.” Harlem is Still Home Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson holds inaugural celebration at Riverside Church

Former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson administers the oath of office to his son Lt. Governor David A. Paterson. David’s wife Michelle Paige-Paterson and their son Alex join him in this joyous occasion. David and Michelle Paterson with children Ashley and Alex. Former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson administers the oath of office to his son Lt. Governor David A. Paterson. David’s wife Michelle Paige-Paterson and their son Alex join him in this joyous occasion. David and Michelle Paterson with children Ashley and Alex.