The NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast is proud to present the latest episode with former New York Gov. David A. Paterson. David A. Paterson served as the 55th Governor of the State of New York, was New York’s first African American to serve as governor and the state’s first sight-impaired chief executive. A graduate of Columbia University and Hofstra University Law School, Gov. Paterson served in the NYS Senate from 1985 to 2007, rising to the rank of Minority Leader. As a senator, he helped the African Burial Ground become a national monument. In 2006 he was elected Lieutenant Governor and became Governor in 2008. As Governor, he set a precedent, and settled years of legal dispute, by appointing a Lieutenant Governor. During his time in office, New York and the rest of the nation suffered through the worst recession since the Great Depression. In response, he amended budget extender legislation to limit late budgets and helped guide the state through this crisis. During this informative episode Gov. Paterson shares his insights and anecdotes about his time as Governor of the great state of New York and the extraordinary journey that led him to becoming New York's 55th Governor. Host Daniel K. Wiig sat down with Gov. Paterson to discuss the state of politics, leading during crisis, the challenges of being differently abled, and the current migrant crisis facing the present NY Gov. Kathy Hochul.  Serving as a testament of the human spirit, perseverance, and leadership, Gov. Paterson reminds us to focus on what one can do when they focus on ability when being differently abled. Listen now!