by STAFF WRITER
January 9, 2022
NEW YORK, Jan. 9, CMC – Haitian American New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis, co-chair of the New York City Council’s Women’s Caucus, has welcomed Adrienne Adams as the new Speaker of the New York City Council, the first African-American Council Member to become Speaker of the City’s 51-member legislative body.
“Speaker Adams’ election is not only a symbolic elevation as the City’s first Black Speaker, but it’s an opportunity for New York City to turn a page with new leadership,” said Louis, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, New York. “Her ascension to the position marks a major victory for underserved and communities of color in New York.
“Her election is a push through the glass and metal ceilings that marks a major victory against old back-room dealings of politics, and ushers this legislative body into a new era of leadership while it faces some of its greatest challenges to protect and provide for all New Yorkers,” added Louis in joining Caribbean American New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Haitian-born New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse in welcoming Adams’ election.
“Under Speaker Adams’ leadership, I am confident that we will focus our actions on the people who keep New York City running: women,” Louis continued. “There can be no recovery without centering women, because every issue essentially is a women’s issue. From maternal health to mental health; whether it is equality in pay, childcare, access to resources; or, providing protection under the law – the women of New York City have allies in this Council and a champion in Speaker Adrienne Adams.
“I look forward to working with Speaker Adams to continue to champion legislation and policies that advance our City forward,” Louis said.
In congratulating Speaker Adams, Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said that “Achieving this position requires earning the trust of your colleagues in government and the people of the City.
“I know from our years of partnership that she will be a strong steward of both, advancing justice and equity in our city’s laws and systems,” said Williams, a former representative for the 45th Council District. “To finally have a Black Speaker, a Black woman, leading the body and setting the course for the Council and the City, is as powerful as it is overdue.
“It is important to have diverse leadership in which New Yorkers can see themselves, leadership ready to take on this moment; and, in Speaker Adams, the Council will have a leader that meets both needs,” added Williams, a candidate for Governor of New York in June’s Democratic Primary.
Narcisse, a newly-elected member of the City Council, said it was her “immense pleasure to be part of this historic day in the New York City Council.
“On her election as Speaker on Wednesday, Adams told the City Council that she was “humbled to have the support of my colleagues.
“Today is a historic moment for so many reasons, and I am honored to serve as the first African American Speaker in a Council that truly represents New York City in 2022,” she said. “This Council has many challenges ahead as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic and the issues it punctuated.
“By working together, we can improve the lives of New Yorkers in a meaningful way for generations to come,” said Adams.
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