AGENCY TESTIMONY
City Clerk Michael McSweeney's testimony for reappointment
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3 min
Michael McSweeney, the current City Clerk, provides testimony for his reappointment, highlighting his accomplishments and passion for the role. He discusses his duties as Clerk of the Council and City Clerk, emphasizing his involvement in marriage equality and lobbying reform.
- McSweeney oversaw the implementation of marriage equality in New York City, including officiating the first same-sex wedding.
- He played a key role in implementing lobbying reform legislation in 2006 and 2013.
- During the pandemic, McSweeney helped create Project Cupid, a virtual marriage license appointment system.
Michael McSweeney
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Thank you very much.
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Chairperson Powers, members of the committee.
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Thank you for the opportunity to appear today as a candidate for reappointment to the position of city clerk.
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Okay.
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Do you want me to start again?
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Okay.
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Thank you.
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Jefferson Powers, members of the committee.
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Thank you for the opportunity to appear today as a candidate for reappointment for to the position of city clerk and clerk of the council.
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Serving in this role has been the highlight of my career, and I am very passionate about the work that I do.
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As the clerk of the council, I have the privilege of working with you at every stated meeting.
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I called the role and officially announced that a quorum of the council is present.
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After each stated meeting has ended, I sign and certify each of the introductions and resolutions that were passed.
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After each election, as you know, I also have the honor of swearing in you and the other members of the council as well as other officials elected during each municipal election, and I preside over the election of the speaker under counsel rules.
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As the city clerk, I administer the New York City Marriage and the New York City Marriage Bureau and the New York City lobbying Bureau.
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As a lawyer with an interest in constitutional law and background in government and higher education.
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My work in the city clerk's office has put me on the forefront of 2 of the most important constitutional issues of our time.
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Marriage equality and regulation of lobbying.
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I believe that my stewardship of the office since the 1st day of marriage equality in New York City has contributed to the substantial increase in the number of couples that travel to New York City to get married.
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I have played a key role in the implementation of lobbying reform legislation in 2006, and 2013 that has resulted in a lobbying lobbying enforcement system that is robust, fair, and beyond reproach.
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Having the opportunity to serve as city clerk for another term would enable me to continue to implement these reforms and secure the long term success of this office.
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The historic 1st day of marriage equality in New York City on Sunday, July 24 2011, will always be one of the most proudest and happiest achievements of mine.
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On that day, I officiated the 1st same sex wedding in New York City, which was broadcast live on CNN.
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Happy couples walked out of the marriage bureau in front of the media from all over the world, proudly and joyfully holding their marriage certificates for all the world to see.
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This was a day that showed off our city as a beacon of tolerance and hope to people around the world like no other.
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This happy event was followed by the yearly increase in couples marrying here until we surpassed Las Vegas in the number of marriage licenses issued in 2016.
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We made history again in 2020 when the pandemic struck.
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Working with Dewood, we created the world's 1st virtual marriage license appointment application Project Cupid.
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Project Cupid ensured that couples could receive marriage licenses remotely on a large scale without leaving the safety of their homes.
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Project Cuban has become a critical tool to enable the office to virtually provide marriage licenses to couples where one of the parties is in a hospital, prison, or otherwise home bound, which we hope will survive the next budget with your help and support.
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To conclude, it is truly an honor and a privilege to be here before you today to be considered for another term of city clerk.
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Thank you very much for this opportunity.
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And I look forward to discussing my qualifications and answering your questions.