Senatorial Remarks
NYS Senator Antoine Thompson
As a graduate of SUNY Brockport, I can earnestly say the value of a SUNY education is priceless. Without a SUNY education, I don’t know if I would be serving in my current capacity as New York State Senator for the 60th District. In addition to developing my intellect, attending a SUNY school also helped to develop my leadership skills, it allowed me exposure to an array of concepts and values systems that were unfamiliar before, it allowed me to travel and broaden my multi-cultural knowledge, it helped me in establishing valuable networks and forging many unforgettable bonds. To sum it up, by attending SUNY, I was able to broaden my perspective on a whole host of issues, which thereby, enabled me to lead and legislate with an unbiased open mind. As a New York State Senator and a life time Buffalo resident, I trumpet the regional and statewide economic impact of the SUNY system and each individual SUNY college and university. The money generated from tuition, the payroll of staff and faculty, the research grants received, all of these factors contribute to the New York State revenue base. Even more so, in some regions, such as our own in Buffalo, these factors are the leading and sometimes unrecognized economic engine of the community. These facts cannot be ignored, especially in our troubled economic times.
Last, but foremost, SUNY and its systems have impacted the life of so many students. It has gave way for many to open doors that some may have thought were not possible or that they have never dreamed of. It has given many an opportunity to gain an excellent education at one of the most reasonable tuition rates in the nation. Thereby, allowing them to improve their quality of life and to become more productive citizens in our society. Allowing them to add to New York’s tax base instead of drawing from it, while simultaneously contributing to the betterment of their communities.
Needless to say, I am a product of and staunch supporter of SUNY. I implore those of you who endeavor to work in SUNY to understand that doing so is not a job but instead a mission with deep impact which will resound in neighborhoods throughout the state for decades to come.