As one of the few remaining elected officials who have served under the late Mario Cuomo's administration, Jose E. Serrano is sharing his memories of the liberal icon.

U.S. Rep. Serrano (D-15th District) served in the state Assembly from 1975 to 1990. He remembers former Democratic Gov. Cuomo as a champion of liberalism, a strong public speaker and a beacon of hope for minorities in New York.

"He understood the need for other people ... to be able to have a piece of the American pie," says Serrano. "I remember, as an assemblyman, sitting down with him and speaking about these issues, and he was always very strong."

As the son of Italian-American immigrants, Cuomo pushed for income and gender equality during his tenure, according to Serrano.

Serrano says Cuomo was a proud liberal at a time when it was unpopular to be one.