Mario Cuomo was born in New York City in 1932. Admitted (1956) to the New York bar, he attracted attention after he successfully mediated (1972) a local housing dispute. A Democrat and an often impressive orator, he was New York's secretary of state (1975-79), lieutenant governor (1979-83), and governor (1983-95). He supported social service program innovations and improvements in the state's infrastructure and environment and was a noted opponent of capital punishment.