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Substance over slogans: Hillary is a proven leader

Hillary Clinton and Deborah Glick.
Hillary Clinton and Deborah Glick.

BY DEBORAH J. GLICK | Hillary Clinton puts substance over slogans. She is the best choice in the April 19 Democratic primary, and the Nov. 8 general election. I urge you to join me in voting for her.

As first lady, senator and secretary of state, Hillary has been a strong ally on many issues of importance to New Yorkers, such as women’s rights, paid family leave, universal healthcare and L.G.B.T. rights. Hard-fought victories today are the result of years of her trailblazing and leadership.

Hillary has proven governance under the direst circumstances. As New York’s senator on 9/11, she showed unwavering leadership. She pushed the Bush administration for $20 billion for recovery, introduced legislation to speed up benefits for families of public safety officers who died in the line of duty responding to 9/11 attacks, and helped steer funding to start a medical screening program — the James Zadroga Act — for Ground Zero workers and responders. Due to its success, the Zadroga Act was renewed for 75 years last year, ensuring that first responders will receive the health benefits they deserve.

As first lady, Clinton pushed for universal healthcare. In the ’90s, she proved herself too progressive for her time. It took more than 20 years to fulfill her vision, when the Affordable Care Act finally became law, guaranteeing all Americans access to healthcare. As president, Hillary has pledged to expand the Affordable Care Act.

Many populations, such as women, people of color and the L.G.B.T. community, have historically experienced barriers when accessing healthcare services. These same populations have unique health disparities. Clinton has the political savvy and experience to fight Republican efforts to repeal the law and ensure that all have access to culturally competent healthcare.

Hillary has been a champion of a woman’s right to choose for her entire career. Attacks on reproductive healthcare are widespread and dangerous. Planned Parenthood acknowledged how high the stakes are by making their first-ever primary endorsement — for Hillary Clinton. Women’s lives cannot be bargained away. Clinton understands this and, as president, she will stand up to Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. Defunding would restrict access to critical healthcare services, like cancer screenings, contraception and safe, legal abortion.

Secretary Clinton has also been a proven leader when L.G.B.T. rights have been under attack. She championed hate-crimes legislation that would protect all minority groups, fought for federal nondiscrimination legislation to protect L.G.B.T. Americans in the workplace, and advocated lifting restrictions blocking L.G.B.T. couples from adopting kids. Hillary also worked to defeat the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. The recent Supreme Court victory overturning the Defense of Marriage Act was possible because of pro-L.G.B.T.-rights leadership over the years, including from Hillary.
Hillary Clinton has always stood up for the dignity of all people regardless of their race, religion, economic status, gender, sexual orientation or national origin. Our strength as a country has been based on our diversity. Hillary Clinton, like all New Yorkers, champions that diversity.

Education starts in preschool, and Clinton has a comprehensive plan to ensure that children ages 4 through college have access to quality, affordable education. Her proposals include expanding programs like Head Start, training teachers and establishing mentorship programs for educators. As chairperson of the New York State Assembly Committee on Higher Education, I am especially excited by Hillary’s thoughtful and realistic proposal to make quality higher education affordable.

Finally, and in this dangerous world, perhaps most important, America needs a strong, experienced and smart commander in chief, one with a full grasp of international affairs. There is only one person running for president that fills this bill and that person will be the first woman president of the United States: Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Glick is assemblymember, 66th District; She was first elected to the Legislature in 1990