"Our Assembly Minority Conference counts among its Members some of the most talented and capable public servants in all of New York State. Today, I am especially pleased to announce that one of them - Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava - has been appointed our new Minority Leader Pro Tempore, which I believe marks the first time a woman has been named to this prestigious leadership post. In her new capacity, Assemblywoman Scozzafava will lead our floor debates and help me move our Conference's agenda forward. Assemblywoman Scozzafava has already earned a well-deserved reputation among her colleagues and constituents for hard work, honesty and an untiring commitment to serving her North Country community. I have every confidence in her ability to advance our Conference's legislative agenda that meets the people's needs and makes New York State the place we all know it can be."