Honoring Governor David A. Paterson with the Community Impact Award

Governor David A. Paterson has served New York communities for the past 40 years, demonstrating a deep commitment to public service. He made history as the first African‑American legislative leader in New York when, in 2002, he was elected Minority Leader of the State Senate. In that role, he spearheaded efforts to improve Medicaid delivery, champion stem‑cell research funding, and promote alternative energy policy while advocating for minority‑ and women‑owned businesses.

As Governor, David Paterson led New York through the height of the Great Recession, warning of the looming fiscal crisis in his inaugural address and calling special legislative sessions to confront growing deficits-- reducing New York’s deficit by nearly $40 billion—while helping preserve the state’s credit rating. He became the first governor in New York history to sign legislation attaching criminal penalties to predatory lending during the height of the national foreclosure crisis.

Governor Paterson championed a number of civil rights and social policy initiatives, including introducing landmark legislation that ultimately ended legal discrimination against same-sex couples in New York. He enacted sweeping reforms of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, which for more than 35 years had imposed mandatory minimum sentences on low-level drug offenders and stripped judges of sentencing discretion. He advocated for accommodations for disabled students taking the bar exam—drawing from his own experience as a visually impaired attorney.

These accomplishments reflect a tenure marked by decisive leadership in times of crisis and a commitment to social and economic justice. This program is a tribute to Governor Paterson’s outstanding contributions and ongoing influence.