Rockland County Officials Meet Privately With Biden During Visit to Poughkeepsie

By M.C. Millman

Rockland's New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer; Kaser Mayor Eli Pinkesowitz, Mona Montal, Chief of Staff for the Ramapo Town Supervisor; and Orange County's Gedalye Szegedin, Kiryas Joel Administrator were not only present for President Biden's announcement in Poughkeepsie this afternoon, but each met with the president in a private setting.

After receiving last-minute invitations on Erev Yom Kippur arranged by Congressman Patrick Moloney, attendees reported being very impressed with the personal warmth of the president as he engaged with and listened closely to his visitors. This was an incredible opportunity for these leaders to communicate and work to assist Klal Yisroel on many important issues. 

The four also had personal meetings with Governor Kathy Hochul as well Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. All four were matzliach in representing their communities and accomplished a tremendous amount for the Klal while reinforcing relationships and creating openings for direct dialogue. This will iy"H be helpful in dealing with the real issues that matter the most to Klal Yisroel going forward. 

President Biden was in the region highlighting the impact of the CHIPS and Science Act which aims to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductors, strengthening America's economic and national security.  

 Among the leaders who welcomed the President to IBM's Poughkeepsie facility were Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, Congressman Pat Ryan, and Senate Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins.

The president praised IBM's $20 billion investment plan spurred by the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in August and intended to bolster research and development and manufacturing of semiconductors, mainframe technology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing in New York's Hudson River Valley.

"When I heard @POTUS was looking to see the benefits of the CHIPS & Science Act first-hand, I told him that the Hudson Valley was the perfect place," Maloney tweeted on Wednesday. "I'm thrilled to host him in Poughkeepsie this week to celebrate the major wins and good-paying jobs we are delivering here in NY."