March 29, 2020
Albany, NY

Video, Audio & Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic: Being a First Responder is 'An Act of Love and Courage'

Video, Audio & Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic: Being a First Responder is 'An Act of Love and Courage'

Governor Cuomo: "I don't even have the words to express my admiration for them. FDR always had words. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. To me that says it all today."

Cuomo: "Something is more important than their fear, which is their passion, their commitment, for public service, and helping others. That's all it is. It's just their passion and belief in helping others. And that overcomes their fear. And that makes them, in my book, just truly amazing, outstanding human beings."

Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo expressed his admiration for the courage and resilience of first responders across New York State as they work to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

VIDEO of the Governor's remarks is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

AUDIO of today's remarks is available here.

PHOTOS will be available on the Governor's Flickr page.

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

These public people, I don't even have the words to express my admiration for them. FDR always had words. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. To me that says it all today. Everyone is afraid. Everyone is afraid. You think these police officers are not afraid to leave their house? You think these nurses are not afraid to go into the hospital? They're afraid. But, something is more important than their fear, which is their passion, their commitment, for public service, and helping others. That's all it is. It's just their passion and belief in helping others. And that overcomes their fear. And that makes them, in my book, just truly amazing, outstanding human beings. And I with them and their families all the best.

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