Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Delivers Remarks at New Jerusalem Worship Center

Earlier this morning, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at New Jerusalem Worship Center in Queens.

AUDIO is available here.

PHOTOS of the event are available on the Governor's Flickr page.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

As the good Bishop said, this is indeed the day the Lord has made. And I am so blessed to be with you here this morning and the Bishop Calvin Rice, thank you for accommodating my schedule change. I want to come back another time and hear the word from you. I draw such strength when I come to New Jerusalem this is not my first time here. I've been in among you before, but this is my first time as your governor. And I think about - thank you. I am humbled as God's servant. We serve where God asks us to when God puts us into a position. And I have been put in this position to lead the state with strength, but also compassion, because there are so many people that are still hurting out there.

This pandemic has gone on so long and I just want to see people's faces again and see the little children smile. And give grandma and grandpa a hug. It's been hard. It's been soul draining sometimes, but thank God we've had the Lord there to console us, to bring us back from the depths of darkness. And he has given us an answer. He has given us a solution to fight back. The sword we've been looking for to be able to end this pandemic and win this war is simply the vaccination. It's been here now for many months, almost a year now. And I need all of you to do something for me in the next few days. As we're approaching the gathering holidays, Thanksgiving, just around the corner. Christmas, when we have a chance to celebrate the birth of Christ, another chance to come together, if you can persuade just a few more people to get vaccinated. And now we have our little children, the grandkids, babies, 11-year-olds on down to 5-year-olds they can get vaccinated. But they need some encouragement. They need to be told, "This is what you need to do kiddos, 'cause you've gotta be able to be back to normal again."

And also, I want to tell you how I value, not just these children, but also education. Education is the reason that my family was able to leave a trailer park. When my dad and mom lived there in the early days of their marriage, my dad worked at the steel plant. While he worked at that steel plant, working with his hands, working hard, long hours. He also got a college degree at night. And I believe that that is going to be what lifts so many more people out of poverty, that has before. So to encourage the children and their parents to get them vaccinated, we now have a competition, that if they get vaccinated in the next few weeks, their name will go into a lottery and we're going to pick 50 children who have a full ride, all costs paid for a college degree in the State of New York.

So that is what you can put out there as an extra enticement. And I want to say a couple more things before I depart and I, and I will be back for a full service as I mentioned, but I am so honored to be not just a governor, but to work with extraordinary public servants. People like Senator Leroy Comrie, he fights, he governs with his heart. He is the kind of public servant that I have long admired. He's been my friend he's been sitting with me since I've been your Lieutenant Governor, even before, I want to thank him for his public service. Also Assemblymember Vivian Cook. She is tenacious. She is one tough lady. Do not want to say no to Vivian Cook. We've become very dear friends. And certainly Council Member Miller, who represents all of you in City Hall. There is a whole new era of leadership that is occurring right now. I am so honored and blessed to be in this position, but I also know I have to lift other people up. But I want to make sure people know and have the confidence that their state officials, their governor will work with the mayor.

And in particular, the new Mayor. To fight the challenges that face us today. And that includes making sure that no one has to live in fear of gun violence, because everyone deserves to live in security and in peace and make sure we have the people out there to protect us and not to denigrate them. But there is the right balance because we also have to respect each other. The people in this community deserve to have justice as well. And that is the air of cooperation that I am ushering in right now, because I believe that as God called me to serve, my job is not just to serve him, but to serve all of you. And I will wake up every single day as your governor steeled in the knowledge that God has put me here for one purpose, and that is to lift people up and to give them hope. That is my promise to all of you. That is what I'll continue to do as your governor. I want to thank you for great leaders, like Bishop Rice and First Lady Willie Mae Rice. These people are the spiritual leaders that I need to rely on as they tell me what you need and we'll continue that spirit of working together for you. So thank you, God bless every single one of you, and I'll be back to see you again.