Not long ago, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer was formulating a plan to provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants in New York, but two Republicans stood up to the then governor, causing him to back off his plans.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Schenectady, and County Clerk Kathy Marchione were honored Friday, March 14, at The Vista at Van Patten Golf Course, during the Clifton Park Republican Committee Chairman’s Award ceremony for their efforts to stop legislation that would have provided driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.
They are profiles in courage, said Adam Kramer, the vice chairman of campaigns and communications for the Clifton Park Republican Committee.
`It was a giant security issue,` said Tedisco, of why he decided to block the legislation. He said issuing licenses to illegal aliens would enable terrorism and voter fraud.
He said he is not against immigration, though.
`We want more immigration, but it has to be legal immigration,` Tedisco said.
Despite the chance of losing her job, Marchione stood up against the plan.
`The safety and security of New York state and Saratoga County is too important,` she said.
She said it was a difficult decision to make, but with the support of her deputy supervisors, she decided to stand up to Spitzer.
`We are very fortunate to have Kathy as our county clerk,` Clifton Park GOP Chairman Bob Wilcox said.
The committee also honored volunteers for their dedication to the committee.
`Volunteers are so important to the committee,` Kramer said.
The honored volunteers were Neil Weiner and Hugh Burke.
Weiner served as the committee’s leader for three months after Mike Lisuzzo resigned following a vote of no confidence by the committee.
`He [Weiner] had a very tough responsibility steering our committee,` Kramer said. `He did it with grace and dignity. He brought our party back together.`
Burke served as the committee’s campaign treasurer, often dealing with complicated math that baffled other members.
This is the committee’s fifth annual chairman’s award ceremony. Last year Steve Bulger, who is the chairman of the Clifton Park Planning Board, was the honored volunteer.
The Clifton Park Republican Committee came into new leadership in February when Wilcox and Kramer ran unopposed to fill the chairman and vice chairman of campaigns and communications seats, respectively.
`The turnout here is a huge show of how vibrant the Republican party is in Clifton Park and Saratoga County,` Kramer said.
More than 250 people came out to support the honorees and celebrate the strength of the Republican Party.“
