The Inauguration of Vanessa L. Gibson as the 14th Bronx Borough President
By Robert Press
While newly elected officials are sworn in to office shortly after the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve, most have a public swearing in where family, friends, and other elected officials come to celebrate the occasion. Those other elected officials give speeches about the newly elected office holder, and some may give personal notes from working with the new elected official. Sunday March 27th was the Public Swearing in of new Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. This however was a day where many other events were going on, including the last week to obtain signatures for state and federal offices for the June Primary.
This inauguration of Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson began with Mistress of Ceremonies Ayana Harry (of WPIX Television) introducing Bishop Rivera, Rabbi Potasnik, Iman Aziz Shuaib, and Bishop Peggy Smalls to each give the Invocation. Then the 52nd Precinct Explorers presented the colors, while the Celia Cruz School of Music sang the National Anthem. New Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Mejia-Peguero then came out to say a few words about how anxious she is to work with her new boss Bronx BP Vanesa Gibson. New Bronx BP Gibson then came out showing her appreciation of being elected Bronx BP, and there was then a musical interlude by the Budari Dance Company.
The first speaker was Attorney General Letitia James, who started off praising the story of Vanesa Gibson who started off as an intern in then Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene’s office. Rising to a staffer, and then replacing the Assemblywoman after she was elevated to Deputy Bronx Borough President. A few years later Assemblywoman Gibson became Councilwoman Gibson when Councilwoman Foster was term limited out. As she was being term-limited out of the council Vanesa Gibson ran for Bronx Borough President winning the five person race and the rest is history. Other high ranking elected officials such as U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, City Comptroller Brad Lander Congressmen Ritchie Torres and Adriano Espaillat, State Senator and Bronx Democrat Party Leader Jamaal Bailey. However the two speakers who stood out the most were Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark who said just like herself Vanessa Gibson has joined the first club, being the first woman and Black woman to be Bronx Borough President. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was the other speaker who stood out having arrived late due to traffic, Schumer just ripped up his speech and said congratulations to you Vanessa Gibson on becoming Bronx Borough President. When Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz went up next he said how do you follow that thanking those who helped BP Gibson win, and her staff for the inauguration.
There was a musical performance by Milton Vann, and after Pastor Jay Gooding said a special prayer for new Bronx BP Gibson, she brought up her mother, big sister, and others from her extended family to join her as Judge Sallie Manzanet-Daniels swore new Bronx BP Gibson in. Then came one of the most powerful speeches this reporter has heard about what BP Gibson wants to do, will be doing, and has already done as Bronx BP. There was mention of the Kingsbridge Armory, a hallmark of her predecessor that never got to be what he wanted it to become, that must be returned to see what the community wants there. There was mention of goal after goal such as returning every public school to a community school with a guidance counselor, nurse, after school activities, and technology programs for all. BP Gibson ended her speech with the goal that the Bronx no longer be first in everything bad, and last in everything good.
The Budari Dance Company performs.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson gives one of the most powerful speeches of her goals, with her mentor former Assemblywoman and Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, and very good friend Venancio ‘Benny’ Catala Jr. both pictured in memory, who BP Gibson said are looking down at me.
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