by Rafaela Prifti/
Assemblyman Schmitt, thank you for the exclusive interview. Earlier this week, Elmi Berisha, Chairman of the Pan Albanian Federation of America Vatra, hosted a reception in support of your candidacy for the 18th Congressional District of New York. How did it go?
It was fantastic. We had such a wonderful gathering of supporters and friends. We raised a great amount of money. We had a great conversation about the future of our community, our country and keeping the enduring relationship of America and Albania strong and I am looking forward to a continued friendship with the Albanian American community.
In April you announced your campaign for New York’s 18th Congressional District. Going back a decade, after two unsuccessful tries, you won in your third run for the Assembly seat in 2018. You have been serving as Assemblyman for two terms. What have you taken away from your previous experience?
I think that public service is a calling and your passion and energy to serve the community and to help those that you represent is quite important to me, to my family. I consider it a family obligation to serve other and to help others. The only failure in life is quitting. And when you have the passion and desire to help others, you keep at it, you keep serving the community. We have been able to be successful to get elected now to two terms. It is the honor of a life time to wake up every morning and be able to go to work for all the residents that you have been elected to serve. What are your priorities as Assemblyman of the 99th Assembly District? What are you most focused on?
It is important that the Hudson Valley values are represented in State legislature. Going forward, as I am running for Congress, to make sure they are represented in Congress. We have total one-party control in Albany and now in Washington DC. And the one party control does not represent the values of the Hudson Valley values, such as making sure that there is affordability, people can afford to live in their homes; assuring that there are lifetime career opportunities for Hudson Valley families, supporting unequivocally all our men and women in uniform, first responders, police, military. These are some of our top priorities that we are focusing on.
On your official website, it says that “While still in high school, you joined the staff of then-Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt–beginning as a volunteer, then becoming an intern and eventually the youngest aide ever hired by the New York State Assembly.” Is that a path you recommend to young generation committed to public service?
Yes, I do encourage all young people. I am one of the younger Assembly members. As you pointed out, I got started at a young age in public service, and working in government office. I was really blessed with that opportunity and I try to pay that forward. We have interns. We mentor young students from middle school, high school and college levels to give them the opportunities I was given and they get a chance to give them some experience and an opportunity to live out their passion. I certainly would encourage any one who does have the passion in politic, government and public service, they can certainly reach out to me. We can certainly give them an opportunity. I would encourage them to never give up and to get involved at any age because that’s what makes our country so great. It’s the people with the passion that can change the world. They might not change the world for everybody. But even if you changed the world for one person, it’s a life worth living. It’s the standard I keep and I try to pass it onto others.
In your remarks at the reception, you presented the main areas of your program, such as reviving the economy at the local and regional level, job sector growth, public safety and security, support for the law enforcement. Specifically to the community you said that you will give voice to Albanians in Washington, emphasizing the point that you will lobby for the Albanian issues In Congress. “I will lobby for Kosovo’s independence and for its recognition by countries that haven’t done so.” What would want to say to the Albanian Issues Caucus in Congress today?
Surely when elected, I look forward to joining the Albanian Issues Caucus. The first Caucus that I will join. We need to ensure that the Albanian American relationships remain strong and continues to grow and prosper as we go forward in that relationship. On the issue of Kosovo’s independence, we need to make sure that the international recognition grows and reach the day when there is unanimous recognition worldwide. We certainly should use the full strength and reach of the US government to ensure that.
At the reception, Elmi Berisha, Chairman of Vatra, said that now it is time to bring our attention to our families, economy, safety and the future of our country. He called you “a friend of Albanians and the right candidate for the future.” Mr. Berisha noted that “your candidacy is a long-term investment with regard to the Albanian national issue”, as he expressed gratitude to past US administrations beginning with President Wilson. Indeed Albanians have enjoyed support from many Representatives, Senators and Presidents throughout decades. How do you experience the Albanian American friendship? What does that mean to you?
Elmi and I are long time friends. I know the issues at hand. Elmi and I have taken a deep dive into the issues in Albania, in Kosovo and the issues that are facing the Albanian Americans living in America, the different industries and businesses, and we’re working with Elmi and other members of Vatra to ensure that the Albanian American community has a government that is there to makes sure that they can succeed in all their pursuits, and that the burdens are out of the way particularly for the business community, so that they can thrive, their families can thrive. That’s some of the issues that Elmi and I have gone over. As we move forward, the focus is my continued service at the Assembly and at the next level when as we get elected to Congress. Obviously a big part is preventing socialism in the US and fighting the real lurch towards socialism specially by democrats in Albany and in Washington.
Thank you for the interview!