Letter from Allison PatakiDear Friend:
 
I'm pleased to write to you on the occasion of my father's 64th birthday to announce the launch of the Committee for Governor George E. Pataki Leadership and Learning Center website, GeorgePatakiCenter.com.

The goal of this non-partisan Center is to educate young people on how state government operates, how it affects their everyday lives, and the crucial importance of public service in our state and nation. The Center will incorporate the lessons and stories from the years my father spent serving the people of New York -- as Mayor of Peekskill, in the State Legislature, and later as Governor.

Growing up with a governor for a dad, you get a lot first hand lessons on the ins and outs, ups and downs, and the sacrifices required of life in public service. That experience and those lessons inspired me to follow my own path in public service as a journalist.   I'm proud to join so many of you who worked side by side with my dad and shared his dream to "make our state just a little better every day." Together you did make a difference -- when my father's administration left office, New York was in the midst of an historic economic renaissance.

Unfortunately, events over the past two years have threatened to undermine that progress we made and rob us of the spirit of public service that is so essential to keeping our neighborhoods, our cities and our state strong.  At this critical juncture in our state's history, we desperately need to inspire a whole new generation of New Yorkers to embrace public service and play an active role in our democracy.

As one of my father's most loyal supporters, I know you share my deep commitment to our democracy and the concept of public service.  It is my sincere hope that you will help make the George E. Pataki Leadership and Learning Center a reality by contributing and wishing the Governor a Happy Birthday!!

We have established a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Committee for the Governor George E. Pataki Leadership and Learning Center.  The Committee is charged with raising sufficient funds to hire professionals to develop and organize the Center's programs and scholarships, and create a state-of-the-art education program.

I'm asking for your tax-deductible contribution to support these efforts.

The mission of the Center is one near and dear to my heart and I hope I can count on your generous support.  Initially, the Center will focus on providing educational programming for students in the 4th through 8th grades whose courses include the study of New York State Government.

The Center will also provide students with hands-on experiences including becoming "Governor for a Day," where they will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the life of a governor by participating in bill signings, sitting at a replica of the Governor's desk, considering clemency requests, issuing disaster declarations, reading authentic correspondence from important events and learning firsthand the demands of the Office of the Governor.  The Center even has a replica pressroom where you might catch me firing off a few tough questions to keep my father sharp.

Thank you in advance for being part of this exciting new endeavor and please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to my father..

Sincerely,

Allison Pataki

Wish My Father a Happy Birthday

With critical issues facing our state's future, there's no time to waste!  We need to get the Governor George E. Pataki Leadership Center's educational programs up and running to help our young people become tomorrow's leaders.   With your generous continued support, we can do that. 

Wish my father a Happy Birthday by donating online at GeorgePatakiCenter.Com or send your contribution to:

The Committee for the Governor George E. Pataki Leadership and Learning Center
32 North Division Street
Peekskill, New York  10566