After a myriad of attempts to win an election for a position in a public office, Haitian-American Clyde Vanel was sworn in as the assemblyman for the 33rd district by the Hon. Raymond Joseph Lohier, Jr., a United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit judge appointed by the 44th president of the United States, Barack H. Obama, noted Vanel during his inaugural delivery in the CUNY – York College Atrium in Queens, NY. With grace and humility Vanel, an attorney who specializes in intellectual property law credited, one of the inaugural ceremony guest speakers, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer with apprising him of the sterling credentials of Justice Lohier.
Before an impressive contingent of varied New York State political leaders, Vanel tackled an inescapable fact, his political battles. In the presence of a majority of his former Democrat contenders he praised them for their nurturing. “State Senator Leroy Comrie has so much dignity; he was the first person I ran against,” said Vanel, about one of his Inaugural Committee members. “What I did not know was my mom was your greatest fan,” Vanel added, speaking directly to the beloved Southeast Queens public servant seated in the standing-room only crowd.
The politically unsinkable Vanel, who had acquired the support of former Assemblyman Al Waldon, Revs. Dr. Floyd H. Flake and A. R. Bernard and a few unions before the primary election, on this Sunday evening this life-long son of Queens counted his blessings.
Among those he mentioned for his political ascension were: NYC Councilman Donovan Richards, the family of the late Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark and NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr. “A lot of people say they will support you, State Senator James Sanders, Jr. came out to support me,” said Vanel, as the Queen’s legislator listen to his mentee’s cathartic-moving speech. “He believed in me when nobody else did.” Unforgotten in this speech, recited before leaders throughout Southeast Queens, was the newly installed assembly member’s: friends, academic coaches, the Kappa Alpha Psi Queens Alumni Chapter, The Black Pilot Association and the Inaugural Ceremony volunteers.
While Vanel is one of 10 siblings and his parents were present, Queen’s political leaders: Queens Borough President Melinda R. Katz and State Sen. Sanders and Congressmen Joseph Crowley and Gregory W. Meeks offered critically laudable advice to one of Queens’ newest Democrats.
The newcomer to politics hometown celebration of pomp and circumstances included entertainment by Devore Dance Center, Calissa Saint Paul, P.S. 15, Voices and Drums of Haiti, Natalie Imani, PS / MS 147, the Altino Brothers and Randy Gordon. Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant was the mistress of ceremonies.
