By Columnist Lewis H. Goldstein
The Bronx is lucky to have a team of legislators which is dedicated to our borough and to continue its renaissance of THE BRONX. Overall they are very hard working and dedicated to the needs of their communities they serve. There are some with whom I disagree on issues very important to me. Regardless, I respect the office they hold and the fact their constituents have elected them. If a change is needed it is up to the voters of their districts. Do some have faults? Of course they do. We all do. On all levels Federal, State and City we have elected officials with seniority, positions of influence and dedication to The Bronx and beyond.
Leading The Bronx is our Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. He is senior among the five Borough Presidents. Since his election in 2009 he has brought the borough to a level we have not seen in many decades. As the most senior Borough President he and his staff have the know how to work with the NYC Council, the Governor and State Legislature and our leaders in Washington to obtain needed funding and services.
On the Federal level we have Congressmen with seniority and with clout. Congressman Charlie Rangel is the third most senior person in Congress. He is on the House Ways and Means Committee. He is Dean of New York’s Congressional Delegation. Congressman Eliot Engel is the third most senior member of Congress from New York. He is Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Jose Serrano is known as a most effective member of Congress. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. In that role he has a major influence in obtaining funding for his district and for the Bronx. Congressman Joe Crowley is a member of the Congressional Ways and Means Committee. He is also Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and an active member of many special caucuses including Irish-Affairs Ad-hoc Committee, Pro-Choice Caucus, Animal Protection Caucus, Congressional Music Caucus (Founder and Chair).
Similarly, in the New York State Senate The Bronx has members in key leadership positions who are able to deliver what The Bronx needs in special projects and funding. Senator Jeff Klein is Temporary President and Majority Coalition leader in the NYS Senate. Senator Jose Serrano is Chair of the Senate Democratic Conference and serves as The Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation. Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson is Ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She is also Chair of the Senate Taskforce on Domestic Violence. Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Aging. In that capacity he is very influential in obtaining funding for our growing senior citizen population. Senator Gustavo Rivera, a fairly new NYS Senator, has proven to be one of the most influential members in advocating for progressive legislation. Senator Adriano Espaillat. He is Ranking member on the Senate Housing Committee. He Chairs the Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus.
In The New York State Assembly we are lucky to have Assemblymembers: Carl Heastie who is Chair of the Committee on Law and a senior member on the Committee on Ways and Means, Housing and Education. He is also Chair of the Executive Committee of the Bronx Democratic County Committee; Jeff Dinowitz who is Chair of the Committee on Consumer Affairs. He is a member of several critical committees including Rules, Judiciary and health. He is also Chair of the Bronx Democratic County Committee; Mike Benedetto is Chair of the NYS Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He sits on many major committees including Ways and Means, Housing and labor; Mark Gjonaj in the short time he has been in the NYS Assembly has impressed all. He is a member of the Committees on Local Government, Banks and Small Business; Jose Rivera is one of the senior members of the NYS Assembly. He is a member of major committees including the Committees on Aging, Small Business and Insurance; Carmen Arroyo is a member of the following committees: Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Children & Families, Education, and Aging; Marcos Crespo is Chair of the Task Force on New Americans. He is a member of important committees including the Committees on Cities and on alcohol and drug abuse; Luis Sepulveda is one of the newer members of the NYS Assembly. His leadership skills have earned him membership on major committees. He is a member of the Committees on Housing, Aging, Banks and Correction. Victor Pichardo, one of the newer members of the NYS Assembly has shown major leadership skills. This has earned him seats on some of the major committees including the Committees on Cities, Higher education, Small Business and Housing. Two new members are slated to be members of the NYS Assembly come January 1. Latoya Joyner and Michael Blake are the Democratic candidates in their respective districts. We wish them luck and are glad to have them.
Our members of the New York City Council are exceptionally talented, professional and in major leadership positions. We are lucky to have as The NYC Council Speaker our Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito. Other members of the NYC Council include Counclmembers James Vacca who chairs the Committee on Technology; Annabel Palma, who is Chair of The Bronx Delegation. She serves on the Committees on Youth Service, General Welfare, Technology, Land Use and Community Development; Maria del Carmen Arroyo is Chairperson of the Committee on Community Development.; Fernando Cabrera who Chairs the Committee on Juvenile Justice; Andy King, now in his first full term after winning in a special election, is a leader for civil rights. He is a Co-Chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus. He also served on the important committees on Civil Rights, Community Development and Education. Vanessa Gibson, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, Ritchie Torres, Chair of the Committee on Public Housing and Deputy Council Leader. Andy Cohen, who as a new member, shows exceptional leadership skills Chairs the Committee on Mental Health.
As can be seen we have many influential members on ALL levels of government. If you need help contact their offices. They are here to serve you and our borough. They want to hear from you.
Follow Us