Thirty years ago, I won my first election to the House of Representatives representing my hometown of Forest Hills, Queens. I am a lifelong Democrat, but since I was not elected by my party, I decided to run as a third party candidate to give voters a choice in the special election. I believed then, and I believe now, that anything worth doing is worth fighting hard for. I believed that if you believe in what you do and believe in your values, you should never give up or give in just because others don't think of you. It should be successful. For me, this was just common sense. As candidates come and go, political trends rise and fall, and the pendulum swings back and forth, being responsive to voters and aligned with your values ​​is always the most important thing in public service.
So for 30 years, from Congress to City Council to Queens Borough Hall, and now as District Attorney, I have remained true to mainstream Democratic values. I have been criticized by both the far left and the far right, but these attacks have not weakened my resolve to focus on pragmatic, results-oriented governance and a firm commitment to protecting the rights of all. did.
A lot has changed in recent decades. Issues long thought settled, such as protecting a woman's right to access abortion care, are being thrown back into the policy arena by a radicalized Supreme Court. As a prosecutor, I will work harder than ever to protect this right, speaking out against those who illegally interfere with a woman's right to choose, and against the medical professionals who provide such services, and empowering prosecutors. must be exercised to the fullest. My commitment to this issue will never change, but the world is changing and our fight for women's autonomy continues.
On a different note, I am currently prosecuting sex offenders as a district attorney using the laws I passed as a member of Congress. It was sound, common sense policy to give prosecutors another tool to protect children from predators, and I hope that one day as a prosecutor I will use this bill to hold people accountable for their crimes. I fought for this bill without ever thinking that it would become a reality.
No one could have imagined the events of 9/11, but in the aftermath, as chair of the City Council's Land Use Committee, I was able to bring clear eyes and a common-sense approach to rebuilding our city and economy. . Throughout this process, I relied on my dedication to pro-development that supports urban growth and expanded housing options, while not only preserving but celebrating the rich tapestry of our diversity.
Through all these and other challenges we faced, I always returned to my core values ​​and set the best course of action. Not because of polls or politics, but because I knew I was right. How you respond to situations of urgency defines who you are as an elected official. For me, that means holding fast to our commitment to justice, equity, and service, and to FDR's belief that government is a force for good and leads for actionable outcomes that address today's challenges. Inspired.
I became district attorney at a time when our nation's criminal justice system was under scrutiny and many were calling for funding cuts to law enforcement as a way to address these concerns. I didn't agree. A pandemic and a spike in crime followed, leaving many people feeling unsafe and calling for a return to the strictest policies of the past. Again, I disagreed. As those in this position develop policies and practices to address crime, because building a stronger and fairer criminal justice system while keeping Queens families safe is a real priority. It requires consistency and smarts. This is why we are cracking down on growing concerns such as retail theft, gun violence, human trafficking, gang activity, and hate crimes, while also creating our office's first Conviction Integrity Unit to promote diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration. That's why we're expanding.
Being a mother of two sons has infused a personal dimension into my work and informed my understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by families across Queens. This personal journey, with its trials and joys, parallels a broader story of growth and resilience in our community, reinforcing my belief in the power of perseverance, compassion, and collective action. .
In today's polarized climate, the need for mainstream and pragmatic leadership is paramount. The political pendulum never stops swinging, and it seems to be happening more frequently every year. But our future as a borough, city, state, and nation depends on leaders who can bring together diverse voices, champion community-centered solutions, and govern with vision.
Pass common-sense legislation, promote community-centered development, transform underutilized spaces into vibrant areas of living and commerce, advocate for equity, defend justice, and renew trust in the criminal justice system. All of this is reflected in our efforts to keep the Queen safe while we build. Not just my efforts, but our collective willpower. The challenges we faced not only tested us, but ultimately strengthened our resolve to build a community that is a beacon of hope, diversity, and strength.
