Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today has issued the following statement in advance of the appearance of Secretary Hillary Clinton at the Al Smith Dinner tonight:

“Tonight’s Al Smith dinner is one of the prime Catholic Church charitable events of the year, attended by countless dignitaries, including the two major party candidates for President. In keeping with this longstanding tradition, both Secretary Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are scheduled to attend.

The event will allow an opportunity for Hillary Clinton to apologize for the email communications of senior campaign officials, including John Podesta and Jennifer Plamieri, which spoke of Catholism and the Catholic Church in a hostile and condescending manner. Secretary Clinton’s failure to address the written statements of her senior staff first revealed two weeks ago is disgraceful. 

 Instead of using tonight’s remarks to light-heartedly discuss current events, Secretary Clinton should seize the moment as she stands before many leaders of the Church, business, charitable and media, to accept responsibility for their poorly chosen words. Secretary Clinton will help to clear the air if she shows an understanding of the inappropriateness of her staff’s comments and affirms how she will make sure it will not happen again.