In a crowded union hall on a cold blustery night in Nassau County, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas were given the “Champions in Fighting Corruption Award” from the Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC).
They each received their own light saber suitable for “Star Wars.”
“I’ve gotten a lot of awards over the years but I never got one of these!” Schneiderman told the appreciative audience with a laugh as he waved his toy saber through the air and pledged to take it back with him to Albany. Singas didn’t say if she intended to use her saber in Mineola.
Schneiderman and Singas were honored for their work exposing unethical practices by Nassau County and New York State elected officials and furthering ethics reform in state and local government. In their remarks, they pledged to carry on the fight.
“During an era when residents have lost their confidence in public officials, we are grateful that we have allies both statewide and locally protecting taxpayers and putting the people first,” said Lisa Tyson, LIPC’s executive director, at the Westbury headquarters of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, the largest grocery union in the state.
On hand was a who’s who of progressive activists, local labor leaders and Democratic politicians, including former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who earlier in the day formally announced that he’s among the dozen candidates considering running for the open Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), and current Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville), who so far is the only one running against Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford).
