Schumer urges country to come together, ‘heal bitter wounds’
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer shakes hands with Chipper Gifaldi, a World War II veteran, today before a Veterans Day program at the American Legion in Holley.
HOLLEY – U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said the country needs to come together and put aside bitter divisions that were so visible in the presidential election.
Schumer was in Holley today to draw attention to federal and state tax credits for renovating historic sites.
Schumer said $3.7 million in tax credits ($3 million from the federal government and $700,000 from the state) would make redeveloping the old Holley High School financially feasible.
After stating his support for those tax credits, Schumer took questions from reporters.
He made the following comments about the election on Tuesday, where Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. (Schumer was easily re-elected in a race against Wendy Long.)
Here are Schumer’s remarks:
“First I want to thank the voters of New York State for electing me. I got about 70 percent of the vote. So I got a large percentage of the vote, and not just Democrats but Republicans and independents. So I thank you.
“President-elect Trump, he called me Wednesday morning. I congratulated him on his victory. And you know it is a beautiful thing, our democracy, how we peacefully pass the torch. There is a sacred right to vote and the American people made their voices heard, elected Donald Trump to the presidency and Republican majorities in both Houses of Congress. So I talked with Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan.
‘We all know it was a divisive election, and the outcome surprised some people. But that doesn’t matter. It’s time to come together and heal the bitter wounds.’
“I also want to offer my thanks to my dear friend Hillary Clinton for her hard-fight campaign. We worked together for eight years as senators. She was very gracious in her remarks as well. She has done a lot of service, incredible service, to this country. She has served as a beacon to all of us. I know she will serve the country well.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said he congratulated Donald Trump on Wednesday for winning the presidency.
“We all know it was a divisive election, and the outcome surprised some people. But that doesn’t matter. It’s time to come together and heal the bitter wounds.
“As the leader-to-be of the Senate Democrats – God willing, my colleagues all said they would vote for me on Wednesday – I look forward to hearing from the American people and charting a path to achieve our sacred goals and defend our values.
“When the Founding Fathers finished writing the Constitution over in Philadelphia at Constitution Hall, they said they had created God’s Noble Experiment. I believe those three words are every bit as relevant today as they were then.
“We are under God, a nation of faith. We are noble, we believe in democracy and that everybody has equal opportunity. And experiment, that means we keep changing and adapting to the times as we’ve seen in election after election.
“I’m a patriot. I love America and I love our veterans, and we will move forward.”
