By Madeleine Santangelo-Palumbo

On October 15th, Michael Conigliaro, was invited to speak at the JPRLC meeting.  We were all so impressed that the members of District 15, were very willing to help support and work on his campaign.

Michael Conigliaro is a lifelong Queens resident, who grew up in Kew Gardens and currently, resides with his family, in Rego Park.  He is a graduate of St. John’s University and Archbishop Molloy High School and currently serves as President of the Queensboro Community College, Alumni Association.  Mike manages a successful law firm and is an active parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Forest Hills.

Members of the JPRLC that are parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy Church came up with the idea to have a ‘Meet the Candidate Night’ for District 15.  We asked the pastor, Rev. Msgr. John A. McGuirl, for permission to hold this event on Monday, October 27th at 8PM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall.

Msgr. McGuirl, graciously allowed us, to advertise and hand out fliers.  An announcement was posted in the weekly bulletin and announced after every mass.

Active members of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, who pray and council on every Saturday, outside the All Women’s Abortion Pavilion, on Austin Street, in Forest hills, attended the event.

Chuck Haumss, Frank Drollinger, and I gathered at my house to formulate questions that would be presented to both candidates.  We also had input from other members of JPRLC.

The session was extremely well attended.  Senator Addabbo, was late for the meeting, due to a Sandy Anniversary event.  However, this time was profitably used by Michael Conigliaro.   He introduced himself to the audience, speaking of his parish affiliation, Catholic School educational background, his family, and his roots in Queens.  He also demonstrated his life commitment and experience to community service, as well as his concern for stabilization and growth of business in Queens.

When Senator Addabbo arrived, he gave a short introduction and the session began with questions on a variety of topics; the reenactment of Women’s Equality Act, fracking, increase of shelters in Queens and how this process is decided, the proposed Queens way and its effects on business, as well as safety issues and perhaps the redirection of money from existing neighborhood parks, concerns were raised about the legalization of medical marijuana, school vouchers, illegal immigrant workers, term limits, stop and frisk, common core, the Moreland Commission and Governor Cuomo.  Most importantly, there were issues concerning the candidates stand on abortion, family and same sex marriage.

The last topics especially showed what moral character and value would be brought to the decision making process, while in office.  Without hesitation, Michael Conigliaro, stated that he was strong in his Catholics beliefs (an admirable, brave and risky assertion in today’s political environment) in the sanctity of all human life and thus his prolife stance.

Regarding family and same sex marriage, again as his faith teaches, he believes that marriage is the union between a man and a women, which many people hold to be the case.


It was refreshing to see that as a Catholic and as a candidate for public office, his moral character would be consistent.  Although, he is aware of the social diversity of the Queens population, he would listen to their concerns to work tirelessly for constructive outcome in political and economic matters for the Queens community, but would be consistently aware of his stance on some controversial social issues. 

Along with his prolife stance, he emphasized that there was a need for families to teach their children that all choices and actions have consequences.  In our market place of condoms, various contraceptives, and free access to abortion, Michael Conigliaro, in teaching children, teens, young adults about sexuality, it is necessary, and great importance about personal responsibility.

Unfortunately, Senator Joseph Addabbo, who was raised, educated, in the Catholic faith, and is a practicing Catholic, proclaims, that when he had to vote for faith based issues, that he had an obligation to side with his constituents, to vote prochoice and same sex marriage.

Michael Conigliaro’s standing on the issues resonated with many of the voters because he received 46 percent of the vote.

Perhaps, people are strongly supporting a return to values in politics.

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New York State--

NYS Senator Dean Skelos was elected as Majority Leader of the NYS Senate.  Senator Skelos has given assurance that the proposed WEA (Women’s Equality Act) will not be brought up to the Senate for a vote.               

(You will remember that Provision 10 would expand abortion practice in NYS and is, therefore, strongly opposed.  Of note is the fact that NYS is already known as the “Abortion Capital of the Nation.”) 

Please send a letter of thanks to Senator Dean Skelos.


--Florence

U. S. House of Representtives--

The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) was introduced in the new 114th session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 6, on its first day as members were being sworn in to office.  What a beautiful beginning! 

Please be sure to request YOUR Representative to co-sponsor this significant legislation.  Senator McConnell has promised to bring this proposed law for a vote in the Senate!   


Let’s see this kind of legislation become law!


--Florence