Mario Cuomo’s funeral begins with dignitaries on hand
Dignitaries from both sides of the political aisle converged Tuesday to bid goodbye to former three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo, a Democratic Party icon who left a progressive legacy of speaking out for the voiceless and powerless.
Draped in a New York state flag, his casket was carried into a Manhattan church as dozens of state police in dress uniform stood at attention, and his family — including his sons, current Gov. Andrew Cuomo and news anchor Chris Cuomo — accompanied it.
Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democratic New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, state Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos and Republican-turned-independent former Mayor Michael Bloomberg were among the dignitaries. Democratic State Assembly Speaker put off taking his seat before the funeral started, standing outside in the snow to await the hearse.