POUGHKEEPSIE – Having taken his official oath of office earlier this month in Albany, freshman New York State Senator Rob Rolison, a Republican, took a ceremonial oath in front of a capacity crowd at Revel 32 in Poughkeepsie on Saturday. The former mayor’s ceremony was delayed for a short time while Rolison waited for his friend and county government colleague, Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19) to return from Washington to speak at the event.
The oath was administered by retired Poughkeepsie City Court Judge Tom O’Neill, with current City Court Judges Scott Volkman and Frank Mora joining Rolison’s family and friends on the stage.
Molinaro came straight from taking his oath of office in the nation’s capitol after 15 votes over four days to elect a Speaker of the House. No other business could be conducted before the House of Representatives elected its speaker, Molinaro said he had no intentions of missing the ceremony that paid tribute to Rolison. The two have been friends since 2003 when they were on the Dutchess County Legislature. Rolison went on to become the legislature chairman and worked well with Molinaro who ascended to the office of Dutchess County Executive. Molinaro said that Rolison was a true friend who will do well as he follows in his late father Jay Rolison’s footsteps by serving in the state senate.
“Marc and I are very dear friends,” Rolison said, noting the working relationship the two had in county government. “That’s what I want to try to do in Albany,” Rolison told Mid-Hudson News. “I’m ready to work with anyone who wants to get things done.”
The 64-year-old Rolison retired from a career in law enforcement before continuing his public service in the county legislature, Poughkeepsie mayor, and now the state senate in the newly drawn 39th Senate District.
Video of Rolison telling his son Christopher and the audience about the need for people to be involved in public service:
