NYS Assembly Haitian Caucus (from left to right): Assemblymembers Kimberly Jean-Pierre, Michaelle Solages,
Clyde Vanel, Rodneyse Bichotte and Mathylde Frontus. Offi ce of Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte
Caribbean Life, JAN. 29-FEB. 4, 2021 3
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Democratic Assemblywoman
Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn
says that both houses of the state
Legislature on Tuesday passed an
election reform bill that she introduced
that will reduce the number of
signatures for designating petitions
by 70 percent for the upcoming election
cycle.
“This will allow candidates to
organize their campaigns, print their
petitions and collect voters’ signatures
while respecting public health
guidelines,” said Bichotte-Hermelyn,
the daughter of Haitian immigrants,
who chairs the Brooklyn Democratic
Party.
She said the bill also shortens the
period to circulate petitions by two
weeks, one week at the beginning and
one week at the end (from March 2 to
March 27), and changes the dates for
filing the petitions to coincide with
the last week of the petition period.
“The past year has been filled with
tragedy, especially for our most vulnerable
and low-income communities,”
said Bichotte-Hermelyn. “We
must protect New Yorkers from the
virus.
“Democracy is this nation’s core
foundation, and free and fair elections
and robust campaigning define
us,” she added. “We are heading into
the second year of this deadly pandemic.
“Last year, under an executive
order which is about to expire, the
governor lowered the petitioning
threshold to 30 percent,” the assemblywoman
continued. “This upheld
the integrity of the petitioning process,
while still maintained a safe way
to have candidates who so desire, get
on the ballot. We must do the same
again in this year.”
Bichotte-Hermelyn said another
reason for reducing petitioning is
“due to the delayed vaccine distribution,
which is a result of a shortage
of supply received from the federal
government, under the prior administration.
By Nelson A. King
The Haitian Legislative Caucus in
New York State Assembly on Jan. 12
introduced the Haiti 2010 Earthquake
Commemoration and the Haiti Independence
Day resolutions.
The resolution remembering the victims
of the Haitian Earthquake on Jan.
12, 2010 was adopted by the Assembly
on Jan. 19.
The Haitian American Legislative
Caucus in the State Assembly comprises:
Michaelle C. Solanges (22nd AD);
Rodneyse Bichotte (42nd AD); Kimberly
Jean-Pierre (11th AD); Clyde Vanel (33rd
AD); Mathylde Frontus (46th AD) and
Phara Souffrant Forrest (57th AD).
The resolution on the Haitian Earthquake
says that the Legislative Body
reaffirms its support and solidarity
with the people of Haiti as they work
to rebuild their neighborhoods, livelihoods
and country.”
It notes that, after the magnitude 7.0
earthquake, about 230,000 to 316,000
died, about 300,000 were injured, and
1.5 million people were initially displaced
as a result of the devastation.
The resolution says that a cholera
outbreak struck Haiti in the wake
of reconstruction and humanitarian
efforts, contributing to thousands of
deaths and hundreds of thousands of
cholera cases throughout the Frenchspeaking
Caribbean country.
It noted that the United States has
a population of nearly 1 million of the
Haitian Diaspora, with about 200,000
Haitians residing in the State of New
York, and that the United States, the
international community and the people
of New York worked to provide relief,
recovery and aid efforts to rebuild after
the disaster.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved, that
this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations
to remember those who lost
their lives in Haiti in the wake of the
devastating earthquake of 2010,” the
resolution states.
On the 217th anniversary of the
Independence of Haiti from France, the
resolution says that, on Jan. 1, 1804,
after a prolonged struggle, Haiti proclaimed
its independence from France,
becoming the second independent state
in the Western Hemisphere and the first
free Black republic in the world.
“The anniversary of the independence
of Haiti from France is a time to
celebrate the aspirations and values
that have been shared with Haitians for
generations and to recognize the countless
contributions of Americans and
New Yorkers of Haitian descent to every
aspect of society,” says the resolution,
adding that “the State of New York is
greatly enriched by its large population
of citizens of Haitian ancestry.
“The 217th Anniversary of Haiti’s
independence provides an opportunity
to recognize the significance of their
contributions to the quality and character
of life, and, through events and
activities, for all people to gain a greater
appreciation of Haitian history and traditions,
and of the role Haitian Americans
have played, and will continue to
play, in our society,” it adds.
“This Legislative Body is pleased to
have this opportunity to recognize such
events of significance, which foster ethnic
pride and exemplify the cultural
diversity that represents and strengthens
the fabric of the people and the
State of New York,” continues the resolution,
resolving that “this Legislative
Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate
the 217th Anniversary of the
Independence of Haiti from France.”
Brooklyn Assemblywoman Rodneyse
Bichotte. Corazon Aguirre
Haitian Legislative Caucus
introduces resolutions on Haiti
State Legislature
passes election
reform bill