Ep 14: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Tom Suozzi P2 on hmTv

Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and Guest Tom Suozzi (Part 2)

In this episode of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel continues his conversation with Congressman Tom Suozzi, exploring his personal influences, political career, and leadership approach.

Suozzi shares how Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl profoundly shaped his outlook on life, reinforcing the importance of resilience and choice in responding to adversity. He recalls his time as mayor of Glen Cove, where his energetic leadership revitalized the community, and his tenure as Nassau County Executive, where he took on bold initiatives, including efforts to consolidate government services for efficiency and cost-saving.

As the leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress, Suozzi discusses his focus on immigration reform, emphasizing the need for border security, fixing the asylum system, and providing a sensible path for Dreamers and TPS recipients. He also speaks passionately about his unwavering support for Israel, sharing personal anecdotes, including discovering an Israeli war bond signed by Golda Meir that his father had never cashed.

Addressing the ongoing challenges in the Middle East, Suozzi stresses the need for cooperation among regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to establish stability in Gaza. He underscores that dismantling Hamas is essential for both Israel’s security and the broader fight against extremism.

This engaging discussion highlights Suozzi’s deep commitment to pragmatic governance, bipartisan problem-solving, and advocating for policies that ensure security and stability at home and abroad.

Transcript

Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and Guest Tom Suozzi (Part 2)

Alan Mindel: Welcome to hmTv, folks. My name is Alan Mindel, and I'm the host of Influential Origins. Today, we have our second interview with a fantastic guest—our Congressman here on Long Island, Congressman Tom Suozzi. Tom, it's great to continue our conversation. Thank you so much for being with us.

Tom Suozzi: Alan, thanks so much for having me on.

Alan Mindel: Tom, during the break, we were talking about a book that you read in high school. Can you tell me a little bit about it?

Tom Suozzi: The book was Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. You mentioned in our previous show that I attended Chaminade, an all-boys Catholic high school. Man’s Search for Meaning was incredibly influential on me. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, shared his experiences and his philosophy that no matter what hardships a person endures, they have the power to choose how they respond. That had a profound impact on me.

Alan Mindel: That’s an incredibly powerful perspective.

Tom Suozzi: Absolutely. It reinforced something my grandfather always said at family gatherings: “Life is a journey with many ups and downs. You can’t have a rose without the thorns.” That message stuck with me, and it’s something I’ve passed on to my kids and family. We all experience both highlights and low points in life—our challenge is to keep moving forward despite them.

Alan Mindel: That kind of resilience has certainly played a role in your career. I remember your time as mayor, and you were relentless in your belief that investing in Glen Cove was the best investment anyone could make. That drive really helped spur development in ways that hadn’t been seen in years.

Tom Suozzi: Being mayor of Glen Cove was an incredible experience. When you're young, you don’t know what you can’t do, so you go for it. We got so much done—revitalizing the downtown, cleaning up the pollution at the waterfront, and tackling illegal housing issues. I loved that job because it was direct, hands-on leadership.

Alan Mindel: And then you went on to become County Executive.

Tom Suozzi: Yes, and I ran for County Executive without the party’s backing. My opponent at the time, Tom DiNapoli, was the establishment candidate. Everyone endorsed him—Chuck Schumer, Eliot Spitzer, Carl McCall, Hillary Clinton. I had my mom and my wife. But I won that race and became the youngest County Executive in Nassau County history. It was an exciting time, and I was determined to make bold changes.

Alan Mindel: You also took on some major fights, including efforts to consolidate government services.

Tom Suozzi: That was one of my biggest initiatives—trying to make Nassau County more affordable by reducing redundancies. Nassau County has over 400 separate governments, from townships to school districts to fire and sewer authorities. Streamlining services could have saved taxpayers a lot of money, but politically, it was a tough battle. I took some hits for that, but I believed it was the right thing to do.

Alan Mindel: Your approach to governance has always been about finding practical solutions rather than just following party lines. Now, you’re leading the Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress. Can you tell us more about that?

Tom Suozzi: Absolutely. The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group—50 members, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. We meet weekly to find common ground on major issues. Right now, one of my biggest priorities is immigration reform. We need to secure the border, fix the broken asylum system, and create a sensible path for Dreamers and TPS recipients. We need to focus on solutions rather than just political talking points.

Alan Mindel: You’ve also been a strong advocate for Israel and have spoken out against misinformation regarding the Middle East.

Tom Suozzi: That’s true. I’ve been to Israel multiple times, and I’ve seen firsthand what they deal with daily. Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East, where women have rights, LGBTQ+ individuals have rights, and religious freedom is upheld. Unfortunately, there has been a concerted misinformation campaign over the past few decades, particularly targeting minority communities in the U.S., equating their struggles with those of the Palestinians. Education is crucial here—we need to ensure people understand the full context.

Alan Mindel: You’ve always been clear in your support for Israel. I remember you sharing a story about a war bond your father had.

Tom Suozzi: Yes! When my father passed away, I found an Israeli war bond from 1973, signed by Golda Meir. He never cashed it in. That was just one example of his unwavering support for Israel.

Alan Mindel: That’s incredible. With everything happening in the world today, what do you think needs to happen next in the Middle East?

Tom Suozzi: I believe we need to work with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Sunni Arab states to establish a stable governance system in Gaza. Israel has the right to defend itself, but the long-term goal should be a secure and peaceful region where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in stability. Hamas must be dismantled—there is no negotiating with terrorists who seek Israel’s destruction. The fight against Hamas is not just Israel’s fight; it’s a fight against extremism that threatens democracy and freedom worldwide.

Alan Mindel: Thank you so much, Congressman Suozzi, for this insightful conversation. We truly appreciate your time and your leadership.

Tom Suozzi: Thank you, Alan. Always great to be here.