NEWBURGH – The former Obama administration Homeland Security secretary said the war in the Middle East has resulted in a global conversation.
And Jeh Johnson, a native of the Town of Poughkeepsie, told Mid-Hudson News emotions around the world and in this country are heightened since Hamas attacked Israel.
“My hope and my prayer is that here in this country we rededicate ourselves to getting along, understanding each other. You can feel passionate about your beliefs about the Middle East without inciting hate and violence against other groups,” he said.
Johnson and family members were in Newburgh on Tuesday as he was awarded the key to the city from Mayor Torrance Harvey. The city also dedicated the intersection of Lake Street and Lake Drive to Johnson’s late father, Jeh V. Johnson, who was the architect who designed the Lake Street Housing Complex.
