On October 15, 1991, following an introduction by Roger Rosenblatt, Governor Mario Cuomo described himself to the audience at 92nd Street Y as “an ordinary New Yorker” who grew up on “asphalt streets” playing stickball in Queens who, like many, struggles to keep his faith. During a panel titled “Who Is God?”, Cuomo’s speech touched upon the trying times, past and present, that test the faith of Americans, and why we ultimately hold true to our beliefs. The speech was later included in 1994’s More Than Words: The Speeches of Mario Cuomo.
This event was part of the series, Roger Rosenblatt and Friends. Listen to the full program here.
Read what Sam Roberts, writing in The New York Times now, has to say about this historic speech and Alessandra Stanley's article in the Times published the day after Cuomo delivered it in 1991.