Hillary Clinton speaks in Westchester: 'As an American, I am concerned'

Hillary Clinton was honored on her home turf Monday evening by the Business Council of Westchester County.

Held at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook, Clinton's appearance at the business advocacy group's annual fall dinner drew more than 900 people — a record turnout for the event.

After receiving a lifetime achievement award, the former senator, U.S. Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee for President was received warmly by the crowd, with a standing ovation and chants of "We love you, Hillary!" as she took the podium.

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During her 25-minute speech, Clinton, who lives in nearby Chappaqua, admitted that the outcome of the 2016 election was "challenging" to make sense of and there were many mornings she didn't even want to get out of bed.

"Everyone gets knocked down. But what matters is whether you get up and keep going," she said. "Thanks to family, friends, my faith and my interest in walking in the woods, I got an idea of how one keeps going forward in the face of real disappointment."

Part of the healing process also involved a book called "What Happened."

"Ultimately for me, writing at my home in Chappaqua was a cathartic experience," she said.

This fall, Clinton has been on a tour to promote the book and has drawn thousands of supporters and readers to have copies signed. In September, tickets to a book signing in her hometown library sold out in less than 48 hours.

Clinton had been considered the favorite in the race to the White House and won the popular vote on Nov. 8, 2016. But Donald Trump bested her in the Electoral College and was elected president.

Ever since, the number one question Clinton said she hears is: "How are you?"

"I tell them, as a person I am okay, but as an American, I am concerned," she said.

"Where do we go from here? I have a lot of confidence in the common sense of Americans. I believe we are going to get through this together. We're going to understand what is at stake and stand up to protect our rights and our democracy...I come to you tonight with great hope, optimism and confidence that America's best days are ahead of us."

Clinton also shared some of her short-term hopes for the future (Congress reaching a deal to extend the Child's Health Insurance Program) and long-term ones (more women in politics).

"I'm going to continue to keep working on behalf of issues, causes and candidates that I care about," she said. "I'm not going to be on the sidelines, because there's just too much at stake."

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have called Chappaqua home since 1999, and are routinely spotted out and about.

The couple shops at local businesses, usually leads their town's annual Memorial Day Parade and always holds book signings at the local library.

One of the most noteworthy sightings occurred last year, when, two days after the election, a White Plains mother, trying to clear her head from the stunning results of the race, went hiking on a trail in Chappaqua and ran into Clinton, apparently trying to do the same.

"We really enjoy living here and being involved in not-for-profit and charitable activities. It's wonderful to see so many friends here – people who have done a great deal over the years to make Westchester County a great place to live and work," she said.

Referring to Clinton as "our Westchester neighbor," Tony Justic, BCW board chairman, said the council sought to honor her with a lifetime achievement award for a "national and global change-maker who has made a positive difference in the world" and someone "who makes things happen."

Marsha Gordon, president of the BCW, said introducing Clinton was "a personal highlight" of her career.

"She has shown consistently she has the courage and fortitude to get the job done," said Gordon.

The business council was uncertain if Clinton would agree to speak, but said she accepted because she knew of the work the group does in the county.

In the past, Clinton has worked with the council when she was a senator and later, secretary of state.

"I highly respect the work the business council has done over the years," Clinton said on Monday. "The job training, job placement and emphasis on the urban cores of the cities and towns here in the county is something that they do."

Two years ago, former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was the guest speaker. Last year, Cardinal Timothy Dolan addressed the annual dinner.

Monday evening also included remarks from outgoing County Executive Rob Astorino.