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Pataki makes a promise to New York's kids

Jeet Thayil in New York

The children of New York, even if they are not citizens and even if they do not have proper documentation, are entitled to complete health coverage, state Governor George Pataki told a reception in celebration of the Indian independence held at the governor's official midtown chambers on August 22.

"Any child in New York is a child of New York," he said. "So if you know anyone in the Indian community who has children who don't have health insurance, get them enrolled. They are new Yorkers, we're honoured to have them."

Pataki presented a proclamation to Consulate General of India in New York Shashi Tripathi and Federation of Indian Associations president Subhash Dalal officially recognising August 15, 2001, as "Indian Independence Day" in New York.

He paid tribute to the generations of immigrants, like his own family, who arrived with little more than a vision of the American dream.

All four of his grandparents arrived in America seeking freedom, Pataki said. They chose New York because in the 20th century the city represented opportunity to immigrants from all over the world.

"That is what New York in the 21st century must represent to the people, whether they come from India, Italy or Israel," he said. "We will continue to keep that door of opportunity open, to keep that confidence in the future alive, to keep that belief in the American dream that beats in every single immigrant's heart."

Pataki said when his father started going to school in New York he could not understand English. Yet, he lived to see his son become the governor of the state.

During his governorship, New York had become cleaner, healthier and more welcoming to immigrants who were seeking the opportunity to set up businesses and grow.

"We have created over 800,000 private sector jobs since I've been the governor," he said. "We have tried to provide safe streets by getting the criminals behind bars, so that the people who come to America with nothing but their minds and dreams can live in a safe community.

"We want to have good schools so that people who come to New York wanting to educate their children can see their vision come true," he said.

The governor ended with a phrase in Hindi. "Let me say as I've said so many times when I've marched in the India day parade, Jai Hind." His speech was interrupted several times by applause.

Afterwards, when he waded into the crowd to shake hands and exchange a few words with members of the community, he was accosted by a heckler on crutches and a small boy who claimed the governor had reneged on his promises concerning education. The heckler was led away by the security.

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