Hundreds of constituents recently witnessed the community swearing in of Brooklyn Assemblyman Nick Perry for his 25th year in the State Assembly.
“I was quite inspired when I looked out upon the hundreds of people who came out on this cold, snowy Saturday evening in January to join me in celebrating the start of my 25th year in the ‘People’s House,’” Perry told Caribbean Life on Tuesday.
“I have been extremely privileged and, indeed, honored to serve, and I assure you that, throughout this term, I will continue to be as passionate about the issues which matter to the people of the 58th Assembly District as I was on day one, back in 1993,” the Jamaican-born Perry added.
Programs for both the church service, at which Perry was sworn in by Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix, and the gala reception, which took place immediately afterwards, were held at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Canarsie, Brooklyn. The events were hosted by the church’s pastor, Fr. Edward Kane.
About 400 people congregated at the church service, and 500 attended the gala reception. Jamaican-born Rev. Chermain Lashley, pastor of Kings Highway United Methodist Church delivered the sermonette.
Democratic State Committeewoman Melba P. Brown was sworn in by Justice Sylvia Ash, and Democratic State Committeeman Cory Provost was sworn in by Judge Sharon Clarke.
Other dignitaries in attendance included: Sen. Charles Schumer; Reps. Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries; NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli; NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer; Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez; Sen. Kevin Parker; Assemblywomen Rodneyse Bichotte and Latrice Walker; Councilmen Mathieu Eugene, Vincent Gentile and Alan Maisel; and Democratic State Committeeman (42 AD) Josue Pierre.
Trinidadian comedienne Susan Olton-Kennedy served as mistress of ceremonies at the reception, which included performances by Hilton Samuel, Felina Backer, Archie Miller & the King Tut Rhythm, and Kow Teff African Dancers.
Perry, who migrated to the US in 1971, served honorably in the US Army and graduated from Brooklyn College before getting involved as a community activist in the late 1970s.
After building a distinguished record of community service, Perry was elected to the State Assembly in 1992.
Perry is currently the assistant speaker pro tempore of the New York Assembly.
He is the chairman of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus; and currently serves on the New York Assembly Committees on Ways & Means, Codes, Banks, Labor, Rules and Transportation.
In the 2016 General Election, Perry ran unopposed, and was re-elected to serve his 13th consecutive term, starting Jan. 1, 2017.
