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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

DiNapoli Honors Leaders at NYS Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators Conference

Photos of Honorees Provided

February 28, 2020

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli hosted a breakfast during the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus weekend on Feb. 15 at the Hilton Albany.

DiNapoli honored the following prominent leaders:

  • Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby has been serving the Town of Hempstead since 1999. She was the first Democrat elected to the board since 1905. As senior councilwoman, she's known to provide access and opportunity for residents to take part in board meetings.
  • Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz represents District 39, which is one of the most diverse legislative districts in the nation. During her first legislative session, Cruz led on many historic pieces of legislation including the Child Victim's Act, DREAM Act, rent reform laws, and the Green Light Bill,a bill that provides driver's licenses for undocumented New Yorkers. She is also a national leader in the fight against exploitation and human trafficking.
  • Dr. Basil Smikle, Jr. has been a political and policy consultant for almost 20 years. During his career, he founded Basil Smikle Associates, managed electoral and fundraising strategies for New York, helped found charter schools and created grassroots mobilization programs during the 2016 election. Smikle was also a senior aide to Hillary Clinton during her first campaign for the United States Senate.
  • 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg has been serving as president since 2019 and has been a member of the union for more than 35 years. Growing up in the labor movement, he began organizing and led his first strike when he was 16. Throughout his career, Bragg has a long history of attaining increased wages, benefits, and 401K contributions for members.
  • Senator Velmanette Montgomery represents New York’s 25th District, this year she announced her retirement after serving since 1984. She is a long-time reproductive rights and nurse practitioners advocate. She was one of the original sponsors of legislation legalizing needle exchange programs to stop the spread of AIDs. She has helped led efforts to stop discrimination in bereavement benefits for those in same-sex relationships.
  • Assemblywoman Latrice Walker is the chair of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators and serves New York's 55th District. She advocates for residents of the New York City Housing Authority. Throughout her career, she has played a role in community planning and development initiatives and their effects on the community. As a lawyer, she has helped tenants avoid eviction and defended young minority victims against stop-and-frisk practices.

Individual and Group Photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nycomptroller/albums/72157713201004913

For full coverage of the event, visit the Facebook Live link:
https://www.facebook.com/nyscomptroller/videos/839062526506298/

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