On succeeding Sam Hoyt:
"I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of Sam Hoyt and I'm humbled and a little bit afraid that I have to follow behind his hard work and his dedication."
On the 144th district:
Ryan spotlighted the district's assets including its cultural institutions, proximity to the Niagara River and diversity. "As your assembly member — the first time I'm saying that — I will build on those assets but I am not ignorant to the tremendous obstacles we face."
Those obstacles include poverty, unemployment, vacant houses and elected officials' inability to work together, Ryan said.
Pledges:
"I pledge to work together with the institutions that are strong in this community. I pledge to work with other elected officials and I pledge to go to Albany with the community on one page to address our very pressing and serious issues.
"No one will work harder than I will for this community and I will stick to that pledge. If I don't you can come and see me."
--Joe Popiolkowski
