Dear Friends;

Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve as New York’s 53rd Governor.

During our 12 years we overcame challenges and together we accomplished some amazing things.

Beginning in 1995, we worked to revive our state economy, improve our quality of life and restore the spirit of hope. Through the dark days of September 11th we stood as one to face unprecedented human tragedy; we answered hatred with heroism and cowardice with courage. In the days, months and years that followed that horrific event, we were confronted with new economic and fiscal problems – the likes of which were not seen since the Great Depression – and we managed to pull together again and overcome those challenges.

When my administration left office on December 31, 2006, there were over 1 million fewer New Yorkers on welfare. We were the safest large state in America. We had lowered taxes more than any other state. Had created over 650,000 new private sector jobs. And we had preserved over 1 million acres of open space for future generations.

Together we changed the fundamental direction of New York to empower the individual, not the government. Together we left the Empire State a better state than the one we had inherited.

Libby and I will always be grateful for your friendship and the support you gave us during those 12 years.

Very truly yours,