Introduced by both New York State Senator Michael Balboni and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman as an outstanding leader, Congressman Gary Ackerman kicked off his annual holiday party at the United States Merchant Marine Academy with good cheer along with some sobering thoughts. Just re-elected once again, he will celebrate 24 years as a congressman, come March.

ìItís been a great year,î Mr. Ackerman said, opening his remarks, ìthough itís been a tough year in some American homes in our communities.î He went on to discuss the local funerals he has attended, when a family member lost his or her life in Iraq. At the very first funerals, even though there was sadness, many said that their loved ones believed in what they were doing; today, though, according to the congressman, ìits a whole different perspective.î

Today, Mr. Ackerman said, ìpeople are asking ëwhy?í and we have no answers.î He continued, saying that next they must answer the ìwhyî and decide how to change.

As thoughts of change begin to develop, Mr. Ackerman did remind his constituents, mainly local public officials, that there are many Republicans in our communities, Republicans who, he noted, ìare different Ö on an inter-personal basis.î

The congressman then went on to say that ìlots of Democrats are working so hard to change things,î yet ìthere has not yet been enough change.î However he did express great hope for change as Democrats stake over so many seats and become the majority in the House and the Senate.

ìWe have a lot of hard work ahead,î Mr. Ackerman said. ìItís been a good victory across America,î he added, also saying that ìwe have to have leadership and a sense of perspective.î

Congressman Ackerman also said that the Democrats won because they ìencouraged a cross section of the US to run.î He said that the Democrats must continue along this line, ìmaking sure we are a broad enough party for all, making it possible to use broad strokes.î

On looking ahead, Mr. Ackerman said that we must ask ìwhere we want to take this country, and how Ö there are deep rifts in this country and we need to make us well.î He said that everyone must work together, considering ideals and values, to ìthink things out.î

Mr. Ackerman asked: ìHow do we redeem our national honor and our world status?î

Today, he said, we must think and work, and come out with the best plan for domestic issues and the best plan for international issues.

ìItís been a good year,î Gary Ackerman told his friends. ìAnd it will be a better year when we get it right!î