December 7, 2009

Hon. John L. Sampson
NYS Senate Democratic Conference Leader
Legislative Office Building Room 409
Albany, NY 12247

Hon. Dean G. Skelos
NYS Senate Republican Conference Leader
Legislative Office Building Room 907
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Hon. and Respected Senators:

As a member of the New York State Senate, I request that both of you, as leaders of the New York State Senate be fair, impartial and transparent in the way in which you treat people of different races, ethnicity, creed and nationality.

I must question your initiative in creating a committee to investigate Senator Hiram Monserrate when you have not done the same for Senator Kevin Parker. As you know, my distinguished and Honorable Senators, Senator Kevin Parker has also been convicted of a misdemeanor assault against a NYC Parking Violations employee and is awaiting disposition of a SECOND assault
charge against a New York Post reporter. Senator Parker was ordered to
take anger management classes after the first assault. He is trying to plea bargain the second assault to another misdemeanor.

Senator Diane Savino, a member of the Senate Committee which was formed to investigate and sanction Senator Monserrate, yesterday told the Daily News that “the standard we are looking at has nothing to do whatsoever with the sentencing. It has to do with whether [Monserrate] is fit or unfit to serve”. What about Senator Kevin Parker?

Senator Kevin Parker assaulted the PVB employee and the New York Post reporter while being a member of the New York State Senate. Senator Monserrate was arrested for an incident that occurred prior to joining the New York State Senate. For this reason, there are some that question the Senate’s jurisdiction over Senator Monserrate.

It seems to me that if you compare Senator Monserrate’s incident vs.
Senator Parker’s two assault charges, Senator Monserrate looks much better to serve than Senator Parker. Unless there is a hidden agenda to get even with Senator Monserrate for his participation in the Senate coup this past summer, there is no justification for convening this committee while ignoring the actions of a Senator with two assault cases under his belt.

Because I believe that the two of you are honorable, decent and respectable individuals, I am requesting a clarification as to the reasons for going after Senator Monserrate when you have left Senator Parker, as well as others, off the hook.

The Romans used to say back in those days that “Caesar’s wife should not only be pure, but she must also have the appearance of purity.” I do not expect anything less from you gentlemen.

Respectfully Yours,

Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz